Title
a. Authorize the County Counsel to execute an Amendment No. 1 to an Agreement for Specialized Attorney Services (“Agreement”) with Foley & Lardner, LLP for independent consulting and legal services with respect to healthcare matters at Natividad Medical Center (“Natividad”), adding one year for a revised full term of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025, and adding $300,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $800,000; and
b. Authorize the County Counsel to execute up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($80,000) of the agreement amount and do not significantly change the scope of work. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the County Counsel to execute an Amendment No. 1 to an Agreement for Specialized Attorney Services (“Agreement”) with Foley & Lardner, LLP for independent consulting and legal services with respect to healthcare matters at Natividad Medical Center (“Natividad”), adding one year for a revised full term of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025, and adding $300,000 for a revised total agreement amount not to exceed $800,000; and
b. Authorize the County Counsel to execute up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the total amendments do not exceed 10% ($80,000) of the agreement amount and do not significantly change the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Foley & Lardner, LLP specializes in healthcare law, and has for years provided advice and counsel, in consultation with the Office of the County Counsel, on a variety of healthcare-related issues to NMC. The firm represents the California Association of Public Hospitals (CAPH) and works frequently with the state government and CAPH in drafting legislation for the benefit of public hospitals statewide. The firm’s expertise in public hospital healthcare law, in areas such as Medi-Cal funding to hospitals, specifically regarding the structuring of Medicaid financing for safety net providers in the context of disproportionate share hospital payment programs and under federal Medicaid demonstrations authorized under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act, is of significant importance to Natividad Medical Center.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form, and the Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved as to payment provisions. This Agreement has also been reviewed and approved by Natividad’s Finance Committee and by its Board of Trustees on June 9, 2023.
FINANCING:
The cost for this amendment is $300,000, of which $150,000 is included in the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Adopted Budget. Amounts for the remaining years of the agreement will be included in those budgets as appropriate. There is no impact to the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
The services rendered in this agreement provide legal consulting services, as needed, with respect to healthcare matters; the outcome of which contributes to assisting Natividad run efficient business operations.
__ Economic Development
X Administration
__ Health and Human Services
__ Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Daniel Leon, Chief Financial Officer, 783-2561
Approved by: Charles R. Harris, MD, Chief Executive Officer, 783-2504
Attachments:
Foley and Lardner LLP Original Agreement
Foley and Lardner LLP Amendment No. 1 to Original Agreement
Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board