 |
ITEM 26 |
|
City Council Memorandum Government Relations & Transportation Policy Memo No.
|
| Date: |
October 14, 2024 |
| To: |
Mayor and Council |
| Thru: |
Joshua H. Wright, City Manager
Ryan Peters, Strategic Initiatives Director |
| From: |
Raslyn Sleet, Grants Program Manager |
| Subject: |
Resolution No. 5838 Authorizing the Submittal of a Pass-Through Gaming Tribal Revenue Sharing Grant Application From Dignity Health Foundation on Behalf of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community |
|
|
|
| Proposed Motion: |
| Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5838 approving an intergovernmental agreement between the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the City of Chandler for the distribution of a pass-through Indian gaming revenue sharing grant in the amount of $50,000 to Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley; and authorizing submission of a related pass-through grant application for Post-Hospitalization Services at Dignity Health East Valley for Uninsured/Underinsured Hospital Patients in the East Valley. |
| Background: |
In 2002, a coalition of Arizona Indian tribes successfully obtained passage of Proposition 202, whereby the State was authorized to enter into gaming compacts with individual tribes. The compacts allowed for expanded tribal use of games and gaming devices as well as pari-mutuel wagering. In exchange, tribes agreed to share a portion of gaming revenues with the State and its counties, cities and towns. The law provides that 12 percent of tribal contributions pursuant to the compacts shall be contributed by Indian tribes to cities, towns and counties for government services that benefit the general public, including public safety, mitigation of gaming impacts and promotion of commerce and economic development. The Indian tribes have some discretion over how these contributions will be made, and each tribe has different application procedures that need to be observed to obtain funding. Additionally, it has become a common practice for cities to submit applications for such contributions on behalf of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are deemed to be providing government services that benefit the general public.
The City of Chandler for many years has submitted pass-through grant applications for numerous nonprofit organizations based on the interests of the City and its residents. The pass-through grant applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with some nexus with the City and its residents. |
| Discussion: |
Common Spirit Health was formed in 2019 by Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI). Both health systems have a long, proud legacy of serving all people in need, especially those who have been made vulnerable by poverty, age, and other hardships. Common Spirit Health is continuing these legacies by actively advocating for positive social change. With more than 700 care sites across the U.S. – from clinics and hospitals to home-based care and virtual care services – Common Spirit Health is accessible to nearly one out of every four U.S. residents.
In addition to the acute care facilities operated by Dignity Health in the East Valley, the organization also offers numerous community health programs outside the hospital setting, including children's dental clinics for underserved families, healthier living workshops to help older adults self-manage their conditions, and postpartum support groups for new mothers. The grant funding will allow Dignity Health Foundation – East Valley to create a more equitable program to provide medication for underserved patients who use hospitals in the East Valley.
On average, 250 uninsured or underinsured patients are treated by a Dignity Health hospital in the East Valley per month with an average cost of medications totaling around $94/month per person. Approximately 24% of elderly Medicare patients do not have prescription drug coverage in the US. Based on that projection, Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers serve roughly 278 Medicare patients without Medicare Part D for prescription coverage per month. In FY24, Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert assisted with over $200,000 in charity prescriptions, medical services, and transportation for un/underinsured patients. This program would ensure that 60 - 80 patients who are un/underinsured receive the medications and services they need for healing. |
| Financial Implications: |
| The City, by virtue of this Resolution, is simply acting as a financial conduit between the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, and is in no way agreeing or obligating itself to monitor or report on the expenditure of any grant funding distributed to or on behalf of Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, guarantee the accuracy, completeness or truthfulness of the information set forth in the application materials prepared by the Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, supervise or take any responsibility regarding the actions or activities undertaken by the Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, or represent that Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, either has, or does not have, other sources of funding relating to the intended use of grant funding set forth in this Resolution, including funding from grant applications made on behalf of Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley, to other Indian tribes. The City has up to 10 days to send the funds to Dignity Health Foundation-East Valley once received from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. |
|
|
|
