Mueller K J
University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
J Health Soc Policy. 1993;4(3):1-19. doi: 10.1300/J045v04n03_01.
Direct federal involvement in local health planning ended in 1986 with the repeal of the Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974. This article argues that planning has remained an important element in state and local public health activities, and that it will re-emerge as a national effort. Theories of policy succession are used to derive conditions for policy renewal that are satisfied by the current policy environment for health planning. The need for planning is obvious when issues related to health care delivery in rural areas are considered, and there are strong advocates of the need for planning.