Federal Program Implementation of the Partnership for Health Act and the Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. Executive Summary

摘要

Objective: to ascertain why state allocations of federal monies and state administrative structures established to implement federal program requirements differ in their procedures and operations. Scope: Michigan, Pennsylvania, Alabama were selected for their diversity regarding administrative characteristics, demographic aspects, health manpower supply, etc. The research described and examined different choices by states implementing EPSDT, and 314(d) of the Health Act; to see what political, administrative or other forces led to the choices; to explore for EPSDT the rapidity of the implementation out of the choices and the flexibility of the block grant in health department funding patterns. Conclusions on EPSDT: it is not a highly visible program of state government. One of three states was influenced by data system weakness, political weakness of the health dept., and specific features in fiscal and professional strength and cooperative relationships. Funds were often shifted for political advantage or administrative convenience rather than program priority.