BOARD OF HEALTH

Agenda

1. This meeting will be in-person with a virtual option. Please join from your computer, tablet or smartphone using the link provided below or by calling the number provided. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86995479556?pwd=5ZDur1AT3dlznN7xsUaUxbbmSqbO22.1 Meeting ID: 869 9547 9556 Passcode: 111270 One tap mobile +13092053325,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US +13126266799,,86995479556#,,,,*111270# US (Chicago)
2. Call to Order
3. Roll Call
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes from September 2, 2026
5. Community Updates
6. Medicaid Changes Overview by Justin Rivas, Milwaukee Enrollment Network
7. Communication from Commissioner Dr. Mike Totoraitis
8. Branch Collaborations
9. Future Agenda Items
10. Adjournment
11. 251559 Communication relating to the documents submitted to the Board of Health for its meetings in 2026.
    Communication
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13. In the event that Common Council members who are not members of this committee attend this meeting, this meeting may also simultaneously constitute a meeting of the Common Council or any of the following committees: Community and Economic Development, Finance and Personnel, Judiciary and Legislation, Licenses, Public Safety and Health, Public Works, Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development, and/or Steering and Rules. Whether a simultaneous meeting is occurring depends on whether the presence of one or more of the Common Council member results in a quorum of the Common Council or any of the above committees, and, if there is a quorum of another committee, whether any agenda items listed above involve matters within that committee’s realm of authority. In the event that a simultaneous meeting is occurring, no action other than information gathering will be taken at the simultaneous meeting.
14. Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities through sign language interpreters or auxiliary aids. For additional information or to request this service, contact the City Clerk's Office ADA Coordinator at 286-2998, (FAX)286-3456, (TDD)286-2025 or by writing to the Coordinator at Room 205, City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
15. City Hall and the Zeidler Municipal Building are accessible by "The Hop" City Hall Stations, the MCTS Green Line, Connect 1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, and 57 bus routes. Visit https://www.ridemcts.com/ for more information. Bike racks are available on Water Street, Market Street, and Broadway, and a Bublr Bike Share station is located on the northeast corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. Limited parking for persons attending meetings during normal business hours is available at reduced rates (5 hour limit) at the Associated Bank River Center on the southwest corner of Kilbourn Avenue and Water Street. You must present a copy of the meeting notice to the parking cashier.
16. Persons engaged in lobbying as defined in s. 305-43-4 of the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances are required to register with the City Clerk's Office License Division. Registered lobbyists appearing before a Common Council committee are required to identify themselves as such. More information is available at http://city.milwaukee.gov/Lobbying.
17. Untitled item
18. Board Member Dr. Wujie Zhang motioned to adjourn, Vice Chair Dr. Irum Ziauddin seconded the motion, and it passed with all in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 5:53 pm.
19. (a) Marketing & Communications Overview - Are we integrated into the City App? How are we directing communication to young people? (b) Clinical Services – STI (c) SOP review (d) Regular updates on CHAP and efforts on keeping people insured
20. (a) Communicable Disease Update Regarding measles preparedness, there are no cases in Milwaukee. MHD continues to monitor. MHD continues to recommend the MMR vaccine as safe and extremely effective. Commissioner Totoraitis encourages everyone to check their vaccination status; MHD can help with this as well as getting vaccinations – so can your regular provider. (b) Board Member Applications Candidate applications were not considered this Council cycle. No updates at this time. (c) Budget MHD’s budget hearing occurred on Monday before the Finance and Personnel Committee. It is a cost-to-continue budget. Commissioner Totoraitis emphasized that doula services will continue, but MHD is awaiting contracting. There were issues with finalizing insurance requirements. The current plan, if approved, is to combine the rollover funding (300k) for a total 600k to allocate to doula services next year. The request for proposals should be issued soon, and the City will host a Q&A session for potential applicants. Q: Alderwoman Taylor asked if the doula funding included training or education. A: Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD continues to provide education on the value of doulas, but the funding is largely for contracted organizations to provide doula services. Contracting will allow greater flexibility for clients to choose when they want doula services. MHD is modelling this off of New York’s program. Board Member Caroline Gomez-Tom commented that she is very excited about the furthering of the doula progression and seeking reimbursement for Doula services.
21. Board Member Dr. Wujie Zhang motioned to approve, Vice Chair Dr. Irum Ziauddin seconded, and the motion passed with all in favor and none opposed
22. Chair Tahira Malik asked everyone to review the SOP document. The Board will await a full Board before finalizing. Chair Tahira Malik thanked Vice Chair Dr. Irum Ziauddin for drafting the document. Feedback is welcome.
23. Justin Rivas presented on the state of health insurance in Wisconsin, including the uninsured rate, policy changes, edibility requirements, and tools and resources. Slides can be found in the Board’s communication file. Q:Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked about the eligibility for postpartum coverage. A: Justin Rivas responded that MCHP is doing an outreach campaign with INPOWER regarding the 12 months of postpartum coverage and what it covers. Q: Board Member Dr. Wujie Zhang asked about the uninsured rate. A: Justin Rivas said it is increasing, according to monthly tracking. Medicaid enrollment has been decreasing since the end of pandemic and marketplace enrollment continues to decrease. Commissioner Totoraitis said FQHCs and even LHDs are seeing an increase in number of people uninsured. MHD encourages clients to reach out to enrollment consultants and CHAP to navigate coverage in advance of the changes. Justin Rivas said the changes in working requirements are likely to only affect 5-8% of current enrollees, so there is a balancing act between communicating and not alarming everyone. Q: Board Member Ericka Sinclair asked about capacity. A: Justin Rivas said a FQHC has to serve anyone who seeks care. MKEN works to communicate financial assistance policies to the public because they’re different between health systems. He clarified that diversion is relevant for the EMS system. In service provision, this would be excessive wait times or not being able to schedule an appointment for a long time. Q: Board Member Ericka Sinclair: How are free and charitable clinics involved? A: Commissioner Totoraitis said the Clinical Council of MHCP is the body addressing coordination. We are also collaborating with the state. This is how volumes are tracked. Q: Board Member Alderwoman Taylor asked about enrollment for young people struggling with the administrative burden. A: Justin pointed to application counselors and navigators, such as Covering WI. Many young people prefer Bronze plans, which are higher deductible for those with low utilization. Q: Board Member Alderwoman Taylor asked how we’re communicating the value of health insurance to young people. A: Commissioner Totoraitis said MHD provides education to clients on the value of preventative care as well as being prepared for accidents. Long term untreated health conditions can be more expensive and detrimental.
24. Commissioner Totoraitis said the Maternal and Child Health Strategic Plan would be released late October.
25. Chair Tahira Malik called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm.