Agenda - 03-09-1999 - III-B - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

63 • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I..I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.111 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 .......... Public health should be a critical element in any health care system and should be included in any reform proposal. Public health services are population - based, i.e., they are services andinterventions whichprotect entire populations from illness, disease and injury. Population -based services are essential to any effort to address such problems as spiraling health care costs, lack of access to care, and the poor health status of too many U.S. residents. With the recognition of public health as akey component in the health care system comes the responsibility to better define the specific services provided under the auspices of public health. What is public health? How does itfitwith the otherpiecess ofthehealthcut system? Andwhich ofthe functionsprovided through state and local public health agencies are essential, or "core" functions? This document is intended to provide a common definition of core functions that will allow public health officials and lawmakers to: • agree upon those functions which are essential, and require adequate base funding support; is • reach a common understanding of population -based health services and the critical role such services play in health care reform; and • determine which services will be purchased through a set aside of health care expenditures, created for public health activities. The document is being offered as a basis for discussion by NACHO members, as they address the issues of . national health care reform.