Arizona Rural Health Plan 2005-2007: Midpoint Assessment Results

After two years of work, the Arizona Rural Health Plan 2005-2007 was completed and approved by its State Advisory Committee in December 2004. It received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in April 2005. The Plan provides a road map on how to strengthen the rural health infrastructure in the state as well as how to enhance access to health services by rural residents. It reflects Arizona's unique rural, cultural, and geographic characteristics, including 21 federally recognized American Indian tribes and the state's 350-mile wide contiguous border with Mexico. The Arizona Rural Health Plan was developed through a statewide effort that included an advisory committee representing rural health experts, health providers, and policy makers. The objectives and strategies identified within the Plan are intended to guide the action by policy makers, multiple agencies, health providers, and community-based organizations throughout the State. By selecting among the objectives, agencies and organizations can strategically plan to (1) modify current health policies and develop new ones, (2) develop rural health planning and program development, and (3) measure and monitor change within their chosen focus areas.

The three rural health areas selected as the primary focus of the Arizona Rural Health Plan are: (1) Accessibility – ability to obtain needed health services, (2) Availability – supply of health resources and services to meet the needs of individual and community, and (3) Preventative Services – health programs that focus on the prevention of illnesses. The Plan addresses 14 sub-focus areas, 39 specific measurable objectives, and strategies that can be used to accomplish each objective.

A mid-point assessment of the three-year plan is being conducted using a mail survey. There are three follow-ups to increase the response rate (first and second follow-up mailing and third follow-up - a telephone call). The individuals selected to complete the assessment survey are those who have expertise and experience working in rural health (e.g., Rural Health Plan State Advisory Committee members, Arizona Health Education Center directors, community health center directors, county health department directors, rural community and tribal hospital directors, Arizona Rural Health Association board members, Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority administrators, Arizona tribal health directors, Emergency Medical Service Regional Council members, Critical Access Hospital directors, and Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program Hospital directors). A total of 182 surveys have been sent out.

The assessment results of the first 18 months of implementation of the Plan will be presented.