PUBLIC INFORMATION Each of the Southeastern HSAs adopted and published in generally circulated newspapers throughout its health service area official notices of policies and procedures for making its records and data available to the public for inspection and copying. Available through these policies and procedures are all HSA records and data made or received by the HSAs in connection with their performance of HSA functions, and retained as evidence of the HSA's functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, programs, and other health planning and development activities. Each Southeastern HSA also prepared and widely distributed an Annual Report concerning its activities. These Annual Reports were sent to all public libraries throughout the health service areas, and to the 1,300 newspapers, 1,200 radio stations, and 250 television stations serving residents of the Southeast. Official notices announcing the availability of the Annual Reports at no cost upon request were published in newspapers in each health service area. The Annual Reports included the health plans developed by the HSAS; detailed descriptions of HSA progress in meeting the objectives of its work program; a list of the HSA income, expenses, assets, and liabilities; a list of residents serving as members of the HSA governing body and executive committee; and the names of the HSA staff. Southeast HSAs sponsored 931 local gatherings and forums as informational, educational, and participatory local health planning and development sessions. These were in addition to the public hearings for input on drafts of proposed health plans, public hearings in conjunction with reviews of proposed spending, and governing body and executive committee meetings. A total of 14,600 residents attended these local sessions to obtain information and to express their opinions and make suggestions regarding health matters in their communities. As another approach to encouraging participation of residents, HSA representatives fulfilled 1,800 speaking engagements to civic, fraternal, government, professional, community, and other organizations, associations, groups and clubs. In all, more than 65,000 consumers, providers of health care, and public elected officials comprised the audiences for these presentations, which usually included detailed question/answer sessions. These presentations were in addition to the 3,500 public hearings, public meetings, governing body meetings, executive committee meetings, and subarea advisory council meetings sponsored by the HSAs. As more and more individuals and organizations took advantage of the many op portunities to participate in the health planning and development process, Southeastern HSA mailing lists grew to include according to actual count as of January 1, 1978 -- a total of 50,185 addressees. During this portion of the conditional designation period, HSAs used the direct mail approach 5,700 times, sending announcements and notices to mailing list addressees as a supplement to regular media news releases and paid advertisements. Specialized newsletters containing key information about the health planning and development process and opportunities for participation were prepared regularly by the Southeastern HSAs, and a total of 400 issues (with each issue representing as many as several thousand copies) were sent free to thousands of individuals, organizations and agencies throughout the health service areas. Local media outlets participating in the health planning and development process in the Southeast include 1,300 newspapers, 1,200 radio stations, and 250 television stations. During the past 18 months, Southeastern HSAs prepared 2,500 news releases for use by media outlets as part of the overall approach to informing the community and stimulating further interest and involvement in HSA activities. In addition, local media outlets regularly prepared their own news stories and editorials covering HSA activities, and HSA representatives appeared often on radio and television programs to discuss their planning efforts and to answer questions. Besides the free publicity obtained by the HSAs, 3,000 paid newspaper advertisements were purchased to carry out the public notice requirements of the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act, insuring community awareness of meeting dates and locations, public hearing information, availability of HSA records and data, availability for public review of proposed and final plans and HSA applications for designation, Annual Reports, and related announcements. WHAT NEXT? Without regard to race, creed, age, sex, or occupation, all residents share in having some form of health status -- they are either well or ill, handicapped or handicap-free, physically and mentally healthy or disabled. A majority of residents also share in paying for the health care system through which services are received, either through payment of taxes, insurance premiums, employment fringe benefits, or direct payment for care. Now, through the network of health systems agencies, more and more residents are also sharing the responsibility and authority for shaping the health care delivery system and ultimately influencing the effect of that system on their health. Early in 1978, activities will be undertaken to consider the extension of this national program of locally controlled health planning and resources development when current legislative authority expires September 30, 1978. Significant progress has been made in the year and a half since DHEW provided initial operating funds to the HSAs, notwithstanding continuing delays in the issuance of regulations and limited HSA funding. The HSAs have operated during the conditional designation period with far less than the annual 50 cents per capita authorized by PL 93-641. Moreover, Congress has not yet appropriated any monies for the Area Health Services Devel opment Fund authorized by the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act. PL 93-641 authorized slightly more than $35,000,000 in Area Health Services Development Funds with which Southeastern HSAs are to make grants and contracts in accordance with local priorities established in their plans -- to public and nonprofit private entities to assist in the planning and development of projects and programs which the HSAs determine are necessary for the achievement of the health system described in their plans. Assuming these funds are appropriated for the program by Congress, the HSAs will initiate this resource development activity as part of their early full designation responsibilities. Full designation will also bring greater review responsibilities, as the HSAs begin to review all institutional health services offered in their health service areas, and make recommendations respecting the appropriateness of such services. Moreover, the HSAs will review and make recommen dations respecting the need for new institutional health services proposed to be offered or developed in their health service areas. Perhaps the greatest resource developed during this part of the conditional designation period is the interest and participation generated among so many different segments of the population for whom the HSAs exist. Continued application of this resource should result in even more effective accomplishment of the goals of the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act if and as Congress moves to appropriate sustaining operational funds and DHEW progresses in its development and publication of regulations. |