Megan Resolutions

1990-Basic Public Health Services

BASIC PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES

WHEREAS: In Arizona there is a lack of unified public health operations among county health
·
WHEREAS: All Arizonans do not have equal access to basic public health services and

WHEREAS: Standards which stipulate basic public health services have not been adequately articulated nor promulgated and

WHEREAS: Funding for public health services has continually been decreasing and

WHEREAS: Public health funding rather than public health need has determined the type and scope of service delivery and

WHEREAS: Diversity of services from one local health department to another exists

WHEREAS: There has been a lack of unified, coordinated statewide initiative to implement a much needed transformation and revitalization of the Arizona public health system;

AND WHEREAS: In some communities, AHCCCS providers refer AHCCCS clients to local health departments, which then bear the costs of such services, while AHCCCS providers still receive full payment;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: A collaborative partnership be established between the Arizona Counties Health Officers Association (ACHOA) and the Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA) to take the leadership role and to initiate and maintain a statewide coordinated effort to 4 ldentify initiate and maintain a statewide coordinated effort to identify BASIC AND RECOMMENDED SERVICES for Arizona’s public health system;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: A legislative plan be developed which would result in statutory public policy changes to ensure ADEQUATE delivery of basic services among county health departments;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The drafted legislation propose that the State provide county health departments the funds necessary to:
(1) institute and maintain the delineated basic services;
(2) improve their capabilities to carry out the functions of assessment, policy development and assurance. Said funds could be derived by requiring a health-related increase in cigarette tax and/or liquor tax, similar to what has been accomplished in California and Michigan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: Within the drafted legislation county health departments be provided with adequate legislative support to carry out their responsibilities.
Such support would include the guidelines for county funding;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: Within the drafted legislation, the funding for prevention services overall, be given a higher priority;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: It be proposed, within the drafted legislation, that AHCCCS channel funding to local health departments as contracted providers of selected primary care services.4

Approved by the AzPHA membership at the Fa11 Meeting, September 13, 199D.

121~1990_(1) Basic public health services (public health infrastructure, healthcare, innsurance, legislation)

Megan Resolutions

1992- Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
EARLY PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSTIC, AND TREATMENT
RESOLUTION 92-1

92-1

WHEREAS, The Arizona Public Health Association has urged improvement in Primary Health Care Services, particularly to the medically underserved.

WHEREAS, The Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Guidelines provide a comprehensive tool for the definition and delivery of services to children to the age of 22.

WHEREAS, The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) includes mechanisms for providing such services.

WHEREAS, There could be improvements in the current EPSDT program.

WHEREAS, The program does not cover all children in the State of Arizona.

RESOLVED, That the Arizona Public Health Association recommends the EPSDT Program be adopted as the standard for providing health services to all children in the State.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That that following specific recommendations be under- taken to improve the health status of children:
That AHCCCS encourage alternative mechanisms for providing EPSDT services, demand compliance from those plans, etc., providing services to the identified eligible population.

That the Plans develop linkages with other health care providers to improve participation, work with these providers to develop innovative demonstration projects, and foster communication with the plan participants and others to promote wellness.

That other providers, persons, groups, communities, counties, etc., offer alternatives to the Plans, AHCCCS, etc., to assist with improvement in EPSDT services. Private Practitioners are encouraged to improve preventive services (EPSDT).

That ADHS, AHCCCS, Plans, Counties, etc., increase communication and education efforts regarding the benefits of EPSDT for all children. Material must focus on and involve many groups: providers, clients, plans, agencies, media, etc.

That a computerized EPSDT data system be implemented initially for AHCCCS children, but with capability to expand to all children.
That AzPHA identify a cadre of individuals and agenc es with expertise in EPSDT services to be technical consultants for implementing these recommendations.

That AzPHA sponsor efforts and events which will encourage improvements in delivery of EPSDT services.

APPROVED by the AzPHA membership at Annual Business Meeting – Sept. 18,.1992

Executive Secretary

123~1992_(1)Early periodic screening diagnostic and treatment (child, healthcare, prevenative health, insurance )

Megan Resolutions

1993- Smoke Free Campus

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION: SMOKE FREE CAMPUS
Resolution 93-1

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco leads to illness, disability and death; and

WHEREAS, the cost of lost lives, absenteeism from work, decreased productivity and establishment of smoking areas is in the billions of dollars annually; and

WHEREAS, second-hand smoke is a significant threat to the health, safety, and quality of life of non-smokers exposed to smoking;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Arizona Public Health Association endorses the concept and encourages the establishment of smoke-free campuses for business, labor, education, and government;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be available to other interested organizations or individuals for their use and support.

Passed by Board of Directors 9/29/93

Approved by Membership Annual Meeting 10/1/93

Executive Secretary

124~1993_(1) Smoke free campus (tobacco, public safety)

Megan Resolutions

1993- Tobacco Vending Machines

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION: TOBACCO VENDING MACHINES
Resolution 93-2

WHEREAS, vending machines are used to distribute tobacco products in an unsupervised and unregulated fashion; and

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco products is increasing among youth; and,

WHEREAS, most states have laws prohibiting or limiting the sale of tobacco products to minors but are circumvented by vending machines;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Arizona Public Health Association opposes the use of vending machines to distribute tobacco products;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Arizona Public Health Association supports laws like Ordinance No. 2498 of the City of Scottsdale as well as legislation to ban the use of vending machines for the distribution of tobacco products.

Passed by Board of Directors 9/29/93

Executive Secretary

Approved by Membership Annual Meeting 10/1/93

125~1993_(1)Tobacco vending machines (tobacco)

Megan Resolutions

1993- Tobacco Retail Licensing

93-3

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION: TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSING
Resolution 93-3

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco leads to illness, disability
and death; and

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco products is increasing among youth; and

WHEREAS, Arizona law prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors, but this law is not enforced; and

WHEREAS, licensing of tobacco vendors, as proposed by the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ “Model Sale of Tobacco Products to Minors Control Act,” would facilitate the enforcement of laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Arizona Public Health Association supports:

l) a tobacco sales licensing system similar to that used for alcoholic beverages;

2) a graduated schedule of penalties for illegal sales, with separate penalties for failure to post a sign regarding legal age of purchase; and

J) primary responsibility for enforcement with a designated state agency, with participation and input from local law enforcement and public health officials, and using civil penalties and local courts to asses fines.

Passed by Board of Directors 9/29/93

Approved by Membership Annual Meeting 10/1/93

Executive Secretary

126~1993_(1)Tobacco retail licensing (tobacco)

Megan Resolutions

1994- Tobacco Excise Tax

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION: TOBACCO EXCISE TAX
Resolution 93-4

WHEREAS, the use of tobacco leads to illness, disability
and death; and

WHEREAS, the adverse economic costs attributable to smoking, such as lost productivity, disability and health care expenses, amount to over $810 million per year in Arizona, or $2.73 per pack of cigarettes sold in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, all of society bears this economic burden; and

WHEREAS, current Arizona excise tax on cigarettes is 18¢
per pack; and

WHEREAS, increasing tobacco taxes decreases consumption, especially among young initial users;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Arizona Public Health Association supports increasing tobacco excise taxes to a level which both reimburses society for expenses incurred by sers and discourages further tobacco use.

Passed by Board of Directors
9/29/93

Approved by Membership Annual Meeting

127~1993_(1)Tobacco excise tax (tobacco)

Megan Resolutions

1994- Repeal of S.B. 1053

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION REPEAL OF S.B. 1053 (“TAKINGS LEGISLATION”)

RESOLUTION 94-1

WHEREAS
The Arizona Public Health Association has always supported responsible and balanced public policy.

WHEREAS
The “takings” legislation passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed by Governor Symington in 1992 and known as SB 1053 is not responsible or balanced public policy.

WHEREAS
The Arizona Takings Legislation could limit the enforcement of many of Arizona’s public health and safety regulations g11d undermine efforts to protect the environment, civil rights, consumers, the elderly, children, and nearly every area where actions are designed to protect public health and safety.

WHEREAS
The Arizona Takings Legislation would add layers of bureaucratic review and additional delays to implementation of rules and regulations.

WHEREAS
The takings legislation could have an extremely negative fiscal impact on the Arizona budget and could limit much needed programs.

WHEREAS
During hearings on the takings legislation, the proponents were unable to present a single example of a state action resulting in a taking, and thus were unable to demonstrate any need whatsoever for this legislation.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Arizona Public Health Association endorses. the repeal of the Arizona Takings Legislation (SB 1053) that was passed in the 1992 legislative session and supports the campaign to win repeal of this legislation.

PASSED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 18, 1994

PASSED BY MEMBERSHIP
Annual Meeting 9/15/94

Pat Zurick, Executive Secretary

128~1994_(1)Repeal of S.B. 1053 (misc, legislation)

Megan Resolutions

1994- Public Health in Care Reform

RESOLUTION 94-2

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION:PUBLIC HEALTH IN HEALTH CARE REFORM

WHEREAS: The inaccessibility of health care coverage for millions of Americans is requiring that an increasing portion of public health dollars be spent on providing personal medical care to those who otherwise would be without; and

WHEREAS: Personal medical services are effective only in the context of healthy communities and environments; and

WHEREAS: The basic functions of public health include engagement of community health status (including personal and environmental health), quality and range of health services, community concerns, and resources ; policy development using the data gathered from assessments and geared toward improving and protecting the health of the community; and assurance that necessary and high quality health services are available to all; and

WHEREAS: Public health programs should provide public health, health promotion, disease prevention and environmental health services,
encourage or provide population-based health services, maintain the capacity to respond to emergencies, administer quality assurance programs, recruit and train health care professionals; and

WHEREAS: Comprehensive health care reform should insure that individuals receive needed individual medical care through the personal care delivery system, thereby freeing the public health system to concentrate on public health functions;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Arizona Public Health Association calls for health care reform legislation that acknowledges basic public health functions, requires that states carry out these functions, and that states provide and receive adequate, dedicated funding for the activities related to public health functions.

Passed by Board of Directors
8/19/94

Passed by Membership Annual Meeting 9/15/94

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION DOCUMENTATION FORM

DATE SUBMITTED 3-18-94
DATE REVISED 8-19-94

NAME OF SUBMITTER:

PUBLIC HEALTH IN HEALTH CARE REFORM
KATHLEEN JOHNSON
MEDICAL CARE SECTION

1. Statement of the problem

a. Summary

The 1988 Institute of Medicine study on The Future of Public Health said “Public health is what we, as a society, do collectively to assure the conditions in which people can be healthy.” A reformed health care system must recognize public health, its mission, and the activities necessary for fulfilling the mission, as well as personal and family medical care. Adequate and dedicated funding for recognized core public health functions is an essential part of any health care reform legislation.

b. Background

“Safeguarding America’s public health has been the province of our public health agencies since the early days of the 20th century.

But in recent years, these agencies have been unable to fully carry out their mandate of prevention and education. While the nation’s health care crisis was worsening and private health care costs increasing, more and more people were becoming unable to use the private health care system and seeking help from the public sector. Consequently, official public health agencies have had fewer resources with which to perform their core community disease prevention and health promotion services.”

In a universal, comprehensive health care system (which AzPHA endorses as a legislative priority), the vast majority of individuals should receive their personal/family medical care from private practitioners. This should relieve the strain on the public health system.

“Freed from the burden of providing individual medical care, official public health agencies can fulfill their traditional mission of promoting and protecting the nation’s health.

“To keep communities healthy, public health agencies must have the resources to perform their three Core Functions:

“Assessment – Public health agencies must assess community health needs and the resources for handling disease, injury, and environmental dangers. Public health agencies must assess personal health, environmental health, community concerns and resources and data on the quality, range, and use of public and private medical services.

“Policy development – Public health agencies must develop policy in response to specific community and national health needs. Public health agencies must develop comprehensive public health policies to improve health conditions, incorporating scientific information and data from assessments; ensure that policies are politically and organizationally feasible and that they respect community values; devise measurable objectives and implementation strategies; and identify resources needed to implement the health policies developed.

“Assurance – Public health agencies must assure that conditions contributing to good health, including high-quality services, are available to all. Public health agencies must provide essential public health and environmental health services; respond to personal and environmental health emergencies, such as outbreaks of disease and spills of toxic chemicals; administer quality assurance programs, such as enforcing health standards and laws, and licensing health professionals and facilities; and guarantee care for those unserved after health care reform.”

Health care reform legislation should acknowledge these core public health functions, require that state and local public health agencies fulfill these functions, recognize the responsibility of these agencies, and ensure adequate and dedicated funding for the activities. The American Public Health Association has suggested that legislation specify an allocation of 3-6% of total national health expenditures for public health. The source of this money could be a portion of health insurance premiums or excise or “sin” taxes, an income tax check off and/or general revenues.

2. Statement of the desired action

The Arizona Public Health Association proposes that health care reform legislation acknowledge the core public health functions and requires that states carry out all of these functions and that they receive adequate, dedicated funding for the activities related to those functions.

3. Which other groups. organizations support this effort?

The American Public Health Association strongly supports the inclusion of and adequate funding for public health core functions and programs in any national health care reform legislation.

4. Describe the relationship of this issue to the current AzPHA Legislative Priorities.

Not only is this issue directly related to the legislative priority of Universal Access to Health Care, but is also directly related to the future of public health activities in both Arizona and the nation. The public health issues that comprise the other legislative priorities depend on public policy and legislation that recognizes the importance of 1) public health activities in protecting and
improving the health of our nation, and 2) adequate funding to effectively carry out these activities.

5. Is this an issue for legislation?

This issue is an integral part of the current debate and legislative proposals regarding health care reform at the federal level and may, at a future date, be a part of state efforts at health care reform.

6. Financial and public health analysis.

The resolution has no impact on the financial status of AzPHA. It does, however, imply that dedicated funding as a part of federal health care expenditures be identified, leading to improved funding of public health activities.

129~1994_(1)Public health in health care reform (public health infrastructure, legislation)

Megan Resolutions

1995- Arizona Health Education Centers

ARIZONA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION: ARIZONA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTERS
RESOLUTION NO. 95-1

WHEREAS, There is a continuing need in Arizona to improve access to health care in rural and medically underserved areas through education and training;

WHEREAS, The education and training mission of Arizona’s AHECs is fulfilled primarily through an emphasis on recruitment and retention of health providers emphasizing primary care in rural and other medically underserved areas;

WHEREAS, There is a critical need for on-site continuing education (based on local demand) and the provision of computer and library support services for health care providers in Arizona’s communities however remote their location;

WHEREAS, Seven national evaluations of AHECs have demonstrated these programs to be cost effective means of assuring the improved minority repre­sentation and availability of health care professions in rural and medically underserved areas;

WHEREAS, The Arizona AHEC System has been nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the country; and

WHEREAS, The Arizona Public Health Association previously passed at its Annual Meeting of September 17, 1987, Resolution 87-:-3, titled 11 Arizona Health Education Centers;

NOW, THEREFORE,
The Arizona Public Health Association fully supports and endorses the restoration of state appropriated support to continue the programs and services of Arizona’s AHEC System as has been accomplished in other states of this country.

Passed by Membership
AzPHA Annual Meeting 9/14/95

Pat.Zurick, .Executive.Secretary

95-1

130~1995_(1) Arizona health education centers (education, disparity, PH infrastructure )

Megan Resolutions

1997- Environmental Health

97-1

Arizona Public Health Association Annual Meeting September 10, 1997

RESOLUTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

WHEREAS, Pollution and degradation of the natural environment have the potential to cause adverse health effects, and

WHEREAS, Prevention is the most cost effective and efficient way to promote environmental health and pollution control, and

WHEREAS, Indoor and outdoor air quality standards have a direct effect on the level of protection that will safeguard wlnerable populations, including individuals and communities; and

WHEREAS, Public policy efforts to ensure the safety of drinking water and the viability of Arizona’s water systems are vital to protecting the public against waterborne diseases caused by dangerous chemicals and microbial contaminants, and

WHEREAS, Cleanup of previously polluted natural resources is critical to assure public health and environmental protection, and

WHEREAS, By the year 2000, the United States is expected to generate 193 million tons of solid waste a year, with increasing amounts annually; and public health professionals have a large role to play in managing waste and designing solutions to potential hazardous situations, and

WHEREAS, Environmental pollution has an impact on all communities, and solutions require the expenditure of public and private funds,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Arizona Public Health Association supports local, state and national efforts to prevent, control and remedy environmental pollution in order to insure public health protection. These efforts are best accomplished by an open process that ensures equity, accountability, community awareness and public participation.
Resolution Passed September 10, 1997

131~1997_(1) Environmental health (environement, public safety)

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