La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-10101

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-10101 - Introduction

A. This health planning document was first developed in 1980. Since that time it has been revised periodically to reflect changing conditions in the state. It is, then, a document in transition. In its current form, it contains health need priorities which were first developed for the 1982-87 State Health Plan, but were extensively revised in 1986 with input from 1,576 state, parish and local organizations representing public, private, voluntary and professional organizations involved in the planning and delivery of health care. Resource goals contained in this document were also revised in 1986 and are, in fact, updated each year. An original feature of the State Health Plan, "Louisiana Medical Facilities Inventory," has not been retained, as the frequency of change in this inventory results in almost immediate obsolescence. To maintain a current inventory requires constant updating which is carried out by the Division of Policy, Planning and Evaluation. Current inventories are available from this source upon request.

B. This document is the result of a planning effort involving many agencies and organizations throughout Louisiana. It is intended to serve as a basis for policy decisions and actions of state government and other public and private entities concerned with health matters in the state. Most important, the plan reflects the policies, programs and priorities of the state of Louisiana in those areas which affect the health of the state's citizens and the system through which health needs are met.

C. The State Health Plan was produced by the Louisiana Statewide Health Coordinating Council with the support of the Division of Policy, Planning and Evaluation which performs the health planning functions mandated in P. L. 93-641 (as amended) for the Department of Health and Human Resources. It is not an authoritarian mandate to force changes in consumer or provider behavior. It is simply a document intended to promote a better understanding of the health problems of the people of Louisiana, to encourage dialogue among those who receive health services and those who provide them, and, hopefully, to develop agreements on what should be done to provide these services in as effective and efficient a manner as possible within the expected resource capabilities of the state.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-10101

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).