Date: June 9, 2026

Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Type of Meeting: Virtual

Members Present: 2 out of 3 members were present

HCPF Staff Present: Antoinette Taranto, Chief Customer Officer; Thessica Covato, Member Engagement Specialist; Cesar Zatarain, Community Liaison

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Meeting Objectives

  • Continue to build understanding and commitment for person- and family-centeredness.
  • Provide opportunities for collaboration between the Department and members with the goal of improving member experience.
  • Develop clear, actionable recommendations for the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC).
  • Strengthen alumni council collaboration by preparing for the December recommendation presentation.

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

All members confirmed no conflicts of interest.

Annual Meeting Business

Council Anniversary and Program Reflection

Staff and members recognized the one-year anniversary of the MEAC Alumni Council. Discussion focused on the progress made during the council’s first year, including development of a repeatable recommendation process, increased collaboration with Department staff, and successful presentation of member-driven recommendations to the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC).  Staff shared that the council’s recommendation process has matured significantly over the past year.

Bylaw Review

As part of annual council business, members discussed reviewing the council bylaws.

Discussion included:

  • Whether any sections should be updated based on lessons learned during the first year of operation

  • Opportunities to make portions of the bylaws less prescriptive to allow flexibility as the council continues to evolve

  • The importance of ensuring the bylaws continue to support council operations without requiring frequent amendments

Members agreed to review the bylaws independently and identify any proposed changes for the next meeting. Final discussion will occur when all council members are present.

Presentation Schedule for Upcoming Year

Members reviewed the current rotation used to assign lead responsibility for MCAC recommendation presentations.

Discussion included:

  • Continuing the existing rotation schedule for recommendation presentations

  • Ensuring members have advance notice of presentation assignments

  • Identifying any future scheduling conflicts that may require adjustments

Members agreed that the current rotation process is working well and should continue for the upcoming year. Staff will distribute an updated schedule for member review.

Meeting Structure and Timing

Members discussed the current format and timing of holding Alumni Council meetings immediately following MEAC meetings.

Members noted several benefits to the current approach:

  • Meeting content remains fresh and easier to recall

  • Potential recommendations can be discussed while member feedback is still top of mind

  • The format supports efficient development of recommendation presentations

Members agreed the current structure is working well and did not recommend any changes to the meeting structure or time.

Annual Report Update

Staff provided an update regarding the current year’s annual report and recommendation tracking process.

Discussion included:

  • Development of a recommendation tracking spreadsheet to document council recommendations and Department responses

  • Coordination with stakeholder engagement staff to route recommendations to appropriate program areas

  • Integration of Alumni Council process and activities into the annual reporting process

Staff noted that the draft report should be made available to MCAC members in July 2026 for review and input.

Recognition of Council Impact

Staff highlighted the significant progress made by the MEAC Alumni Council during their first year of work.

Staff reflected on:

  • The volume and quality of recommendations developed during the first year

  • Positive feedback received regarding the council’s work

  • Growing awareness of the council among external stakeholders and advisory groups

Members emphasized the importance of continuing to elevate member perspectives and lived experience in Department decision-making processes.

Finalization of MCAC Presentation

Review of MEAC Presentation 

Members reviewed the recommendation presentation presented to MEAC earlier in the day and the feedback from MEAC members. 

Presentation Experience and Presenter Reflections

Members reflected on their experience presenting recommendation content during the MEAC meeting.

Discussion included:

  • Increased confidence presenting recommendation material compared to earlier presentations

  • Balancing presentation content with personal storytelling and member perspectives

  • The value of MEAC participation and discussion during recommendation development

Members agreed that the presentation generally flowed well and effectively captured key concerns raised by MEAC participants.

Presentation Revisions

Members discussed possible revisions to their presentation for the June 18, 2026 MCAC meeting.  

Revisions included:

  • Removing recommendation numbering from future topics identified on slide 2.

  • Replacing the word “may” on slides 11 and 12 with “will”.  

Examples and Supporting Materials

Members discussed the absence of specific document examples within the presentation.

Discussion included:

  • Prior recommendation presentations often included examples of notices, letters, or forms

  • Current H.R. 1 materials remain under development and subject to change

  • Recommendation themes were developed from multiple document reviews, conversations, and member feedback rather than any single communication

Members agreed that discussing broader communication themes remains appropriate given the evolving nature of the policy implementation process.  Members recommended that the Department provide an update on H.R. 1 to the MCAC prior to their presentation during the June 18th meeting. 

Member Quotes and Accessibility Considerations

Members discussed feedback from MEAC that they verbally highlight only a few of the member quotes represented on each slide instead of reading all of them.  

Discussion included:

  • Recognition that it is generally not necessary or recommended to read text word for word from a slide

  • Ensuring member voices remain central to the presentation

  • Supporting accessibility for individuals who may not be able to view presentation slides

  • Ensuring that the lived experiences demonstrated through the quotes become part of the official MCAC meeting record

Members supported continuing to read member quotes aloud during presentations.

MCAC Discussion Questions

Members reviewed discussion questions intended for MCAC members.

Discussion included:

  • Reducing and consolidating the number of discussion questions

  • Grouping related questions together to encourage focused discussion

  • Improving the flow of the discussion by previewing all of the questions before moving through them individually

Members agreed that a smaller number of broader questions would encourage more meaningful discussion and improve participant engagement.

Wrap-Up

State staff will:

  • Send council members the bylaw review materials prior to the next meeting.

  • Distribute the presentation rotation schedule for FY 26-27.

  • Revise the MCAC presentation slides based on council feedback.

  • Provide the provider directory link for inclusion in the MCAC presentation.

  • Follow up regarding the possibility of a Department-led H.R. 1 overview presentation prior to the recommendation presentation.

  • Submit finalized MCAC presentation materials by the requested deadline, Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Members will:

  • Update their speaker notes in preparation for the upcoming MCAC meeting.
  • Review the Bylaws in preparation for the July MEAC Alumni Council meeting

Adjourn

Next Meeting: 

  • July 14, 2026 (virtual)