DATE: 10/21/2002	SUBJECT: FINAL READING ORDINANCE NO. 2002-O-262 Amending Ordinance 89-O-231 of the Code of Ordinance for the City of Laredo providing for an increase in charge from $3.00 to $10.00 per client for the Influenza Immunization at the Immunization Clinic of the City of Laredo Health Department, and implementing a charge of $16.00 for the pneumococcal vaccine; providing for a sliding fee to persons unable to pay due to indigency; and providing severability, and effective date and publication.
INITIATED BY: STAFF SOURCE: Cynthia Collazo Hector F. Gonzalez, M.D., M.P.H. Asst. City Manager Health Director
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: On October 7, 2002, Council held public hearing introducing ordinance and instructed staff to proceed with final reading.
BACKGROUND: The City of Laredo Health Department provides immunization against influenza at the Immunization Clinic to any and all persons who wish to avail themselves of this vaccine. It is estimated that 5,000 flu shots are administered to high-risk individuals through the Health Department. In order to off-set the cost of the vaccine and to be in line with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, it is recommended that the charges be increased as follows: Influenza Immunization $10.00 Pneumococcal Vaccine $16.00
FINANCIAL: The City of Laredo Health Department has budgeted $25,000 in expense account number 226-2922 to purchase the vaccines. It is estimated that the funds received for the administration of these vaccines will be as follows: $50,000 for the Flu Vaccine and $3,200 for the Pneumococcal Vaccine. The revenue account number is 226-0000-355-4050.
RECOMMENDATION:		STAFF: Recommend that Council approve ordinance.

ORDINANCE 2002-O-262

Amending Ordinance 89-O-231 of the Code of Ordinance for the City of Laredo providing for an increase in charge from $3.00 to $10.00 per client for the Influenza Immunization at the Immunization Clinic of the City of Laredo Health Department, and implementing a charge of $16.00 for the pneumococcal vaccine; providing for A SLIDING fee to persons unable to pay due to indigency; and providing severability, and effective date and publication.

WHEREAS, the City of Laredo Health Department has a preventive public health program whereby it provides immunization against influenza at the immunization clinic, to any and all persons who wish to avail themselves of this; and

WHEREAS, the Director recommends that the fee of $3.00 be increased to $10.00 to off-set the cost of the vaccine and to bring it in line with what the state Medicare and Medicaid policy reimbursements; and

WHEREAS, the Director also recommends that the fee of $16.00 for the Pneumococcal Vaccine be implemented and feels it is a reasonable charge for this service; and

WHEREAS, it is also recommended a sliding fee for those persons unable to afford it due to indigency.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

Section 1: The City of Laredo Health Department Director is hereby authorized to increase the charge of $3.00 to $10.00 to each person to whom it provides an immunization against influenza.

Section 2: The City of Laredo Health Department Director is hereby authorized to implement a charge of $16.00 to each person to whom it provides a pneumococcal immunization.

Section 3: This ordinance does not and is not intended to exempt, change or modify the terms of any governing federal or state regulations which apply to the provision of influenza immunizations or pneumococcal immunizations by the Health Department.

Section 5: Severability

If any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or the application of same to any person or set of circumstances is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, void, invalid or for any reason unenforceable, the validity of the remaining portion of this ordinance or its application to other person or sets of circumstances shall not be affected thereby, it being the intent of the City Council of the City of Laredo in adopting this ordinance that no portion hereof or provision or regulation contained herein shall become inoperative or fail by reason of any unconstitutionality, voidness or invalidity, and all provisions are declared severable for that purpose.

Section 6: Effective Date

This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage and following the date of publication required pursuant to Section 2.09 of the City Charter.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR

ON THIS _________________ DAY OF ________________________, 2002.

_________________________

ELIZABETH G. FLORES

MAYOR

ATTEST:

__________________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

CITY SECRETARY

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

__________________________

JAIME FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY