What will the State Health Plan be used for?
The
State Health Plan establishes the framework to improve access to health care services, constrain health care costs and determine priorities for addressing statewide health care needs. It sets goals for improvement in the efficiency and the effectiveness of the health care delivery system, as well as providing regulatory oversight and administration of the
Certificate of Need program.
The HCA views the State Health Plan as a policy blueprint for shaping the health care system through the action of public agencies and the cooperation of private sectors. The Plan undertakes an active role in proposing needed changes in the system, including the reallocation of resources to achieve a health care system that is cost-effective and balances considerations of financing, access and quality. The Plan also provides an opportunity for public input into shaping West Virginia’s health care system.
How long will the State Health Plan be in effect?
The Health Care Authority views the State Health Plan as a living document. From time to time, the Authority may choose to update various sections of the Plan as needed. The Authority anticipates reviewing the entire plan every few years to assure representation of emerging needs in the health care system. The 2000-2002 State Health Plan will be in effect until the work on the
West Virginia Indicators Project is completed. Two related projects, the
West Virginia State Planning Grant and the
National Governor's Association Policy Academy on Chronic Disease Prevention and Management are also important health planning archives.
What has happened in the State Health Plan process? What will happen next?
State Health Plan development took place in 1998 and 1999. The focus of activity for 2000 was implementation of the newly approved Plan. Plan implementation continues in 2002, the current 2000-2002 Plan has been extended until a new plan is completed through the West Virginia Indicators Project. See the
Chronology of State Health Plan Events for a listing and description of activities beginning in 1998.
Why is this volume I? Is there a volume II?
Volume II of the State Health Plan will be the revised
certificate of need standards. The Authority has begun the process of reviewing and making any changes necessary to the certificate of need standards which will later comprise Volume Two of the State Health Plan. West Virginia Code §16-2D-5(b) requires the Authority to make any necessary amendments or modifications to the certificate of need standards within a three-year period from the effective date of W. Va. Code §16-2D-5(b), which was June 11, 1999.