Certified Mail

Date: October 30, 2002

To: State Health Plan Group Members

From: Sonia D. Chambers, Chair

Re: Health Planning Update

As you are aware, the current State Health Plan is to conclude on December 31, 2002. Although we are working diligently on the West Virginia Indicators Project, it will not be completed in time to provide material to prepare a new State Health Plan by 2003. As such, the current Plan will be extended until a new Plan is complete. We are currently analyzing and profiling inpatient data for all payers and ambulatory care data for the Medicaid and PEIA populations in the Indicators Project. Health service areas are being identified and data are being categorized by age, type of care and intensity of services. The next step is risk grouping of the data.

Two new projects add to the focus for future health planning activities. The first project is the West Virginia State Planning Grant supported through the Health Resources and Services Administration. These activities will further define issues related to gaps in health care coverage and improve coverage for children, low income adults and families, senior citizens, and in small and medium sized businesses. The second project is the National Governors Association Policy Academy on Chronic Disease Prevention and Management. This project entails collaboration among public agencies to reduce the burden of chronic disease in West Virginia working with national experts to prepare plan of action to prevent and manage chronic disease.

Members of the State Health Plan Group will be consulted to fulfill the goals of these projects. If you have any questions or comments related to health planning, please contact me at (304) 558-7000. Thank you for your continued interest in improving the health and health care of West Virginia’s citizens as a member of the State Health Plan Group.

SDC:PJB:rk