title: Health systems agencies and planning of pediatric hospital services. A case study.
abstract: Health Systems Agencies (HSA) are the official national health planning and regulatory agencies in the United States. This case study examines three HSA activities: determination of need, review and approval of federal grants, and appropriateness review. The article raises questions about planning assumptions and suggests the need to simplify regulatory process and strengthen standards of pediatric care in community hospitals.
mesh_terms: D005380:Financing, Government; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006307:Health Systems Agencies / Q000592:standards*; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006752:Hospital Planning; D008404:Massachusetts; D010372:Pediatrics; D012040:Regional Health Planning; D014481:United States