Minutes of the
CONSUMERS COMMITTEE
Chairs: Charmaine Graham, Marcelo Maia
Consumer-At-Large: Raffi Babakhanian
Monday, November 18, 2024, 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Minutes
Committee Members Present: Marcelo Maia Soares (Co-chair), John Schoepp (Co-chair), Raffi Babakhanian (Consumer-at-Large), Asia Betancourt, Lisa Best, Randall Bruce, Paul Carr, Billy Fields, Yves Gebhardt, Ralph Henderson, Annette Tomlin, Rob Walker, David Martin
Staff and Guests Present: Michael Navejas, Doienne Saab, Daniel Bickram
Agenda Item 1: Welcome/Introductions/Moment of Silence/Minutes
Marcelo and John opened the meeting, followed by introductions and a moment of silence. The Committee welcomed John as the new Consumers Committee Co-chair. The minutes of the October 15, 2024 meeting were approved with no changes.
Agenda Item 2: Presentation: Medicare Open Enrollment
Rachel Schwartz and Tracey Leong-Pelrine, from NYCDOHMH Equitable Health Systems presented an overview of both Medicaid and Medicare and provided health insurance updates and resources. Rachel Schwartz can be contacted at rschwartz2@health.nyc.gov for resources and or questions.
Agenda Item 3: CAB Town Hall
The Committee had another lively discussion that revisited the goals/objectives of the for the CAB Town Hall and added a 7th: to make an ask of the Recipient that they provide technical support for all CABs.
- Gather consumer input that will convince agencies to support CABs as the best way for getting meaningful consumer feedback.
- Empower consumers by providing information.
- Demonstrate that there is widespread consumer support for creating and supporting CABs.
- Gather input from CAB members’ challenges and successes.
- Develop a “white paper” with asks from the RWPA program.
- Provide attendees with a road map to advocate for and improve CABS.
- Ask the Recipient to provide technical support for all CABs
Committee members also discussed:
A) Promoting the Town Hall via social media, Eventbrite, and Facebook and inviting CABs from agencies receiving Ryan White funding
B) Preparing content for the Town Hall including inviting members from local CABs and agencies receiving Ryan White funding to present successes and challenges
C) Empowering consumers by providing information at the Town Hall including handouts, CAB best practices and recommendations from 2024 and portions of a CAB manual, Getting Starting (2005)
F) Breakout sessions at the Town Hall where a set of questions would be provided to guide discussion
D) Developing a subcommittee to develop the nuts and bolts of the Town Hall
Michael was tasked with sending an email to the sub-committee volunteers tasked with developing the structure of the CAB Town Hall. The volunteers include Marcelo, Asia, Rob, Randall, Annette, and Raffi.
Agenda Item 4: Consumer-at-large election
John made an announcement for the Consumer-at-large election. There was a call for nominations. Raffi Babakhanian nominated himself. He was elected by acclamation, as no vote was necessary and he was the only nominee.
Agenda Item 5: Other
Daniel updated members on the iPad purchase order. He stated that he is waiting for IT approval for access to the internet.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
