La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-10701

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-10701 - Introduction

A. In order to properly evaluate the elements of a health system, it is helpful to know what components are already in place: to have an inventory of on-going programs and services. The development of such an inventory does not proceed without difficulty. To successfully accomplish the task, a clear and uniform taxonomy is needed so that agencies and organizations can classify their activities and programs into precise, well defined categories that permit comparisons.

B. The design of the required taxonomy is, in itself, a very demanding task. Many health system taxonomies have been proposed, but none has achieved the goal of permitting the comprehensive review of programs without problem. In each taxonomy there appears to be some amount of overlap among categories, ambiguity in definitions, and problems with syntax. Once developed, the application of a taxonomy is complicated by ambiguities in program descriptions, the fact that health system programs have multiple purposes, goals and target populations making precise classification difficult, and the fact that the programs are dynamic in nature causing initial classifications to become obsolete as program changes occur.

C. To develop a systematic inventory of existing health system programs in Louisiana, a very simple taxonomy was devised, consisting of the selected priorities broken down, where appropriate, by program type. Information on existing programs and services was obtained initially through a survey of state and non-governmental agencies and organizations. The review of state-administered programs was more comprehensive because the organizational structure of the bureaucracy permitted a more thorough survey. A Task Force composed of representatives from the state agencies providing health-related services was formed and developed an inventory of services and programs which were directed toward one or more of the state's priority areas and goals (Alternatives to Long Term Institutionalization, Health Promotion and High Costs of Health Care).

i. This inventory was as complete as the agency representatives were able to produce, and certainly depicted a substantial, if not exhaustive, record of what existed at the time within the state-administered health system in the established priority areas.

D. Initially, it was attempted to identify the amount of money spent in each service area; however, it became clear immediately that the task was not possible. Because of an inability to separate particular services and programs into discrete entities of a small enough denomination, the precise number of health dollars spent in priority areas is not known.

E. In February, 1986, a second survey of state agencies and organizations was conducted in an effort to update the inventory. The updated information is presented in this chapter. The first section of the chapter is devoted to a state agency inventory and the second section to a review of private sector initiatives.

F. There are a number of programs and services available in Louisiana directed toward helping people stay out of long term care facilities whenever possible. There are also substantial programs aimed at educating the public about ways to reduce their own health risks. Though there is a variety of such programs, there are not nearly enough to meet the needs of the state's population of over 4.5 million. As can be seen in the inventories of state and private agency programs, there are few initiatives directed toward containing health costs.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-10701

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Management and Finance, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with P.L. 93-641, as amended by P.L. 96-79, and R.S. 36:256(b).