Health Policy and Health Resources Development Act

Health Policy and Health Resources Development Act - Expresses the findings of Congress with regard to facilitating the development of recommendations for a national health policy and planning for health services, manpower, and facilities.

Establishes, under the Public Health Services Act, the National Council for Health Policy in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Specifies the composition and terms of office of Council members. Enumerates the functions of the Council, including: (1) to develop a national health policy with national goals and priorities; (2) to conduct studies in specified health areas; and (3) to evaluate the implications of developing medical technology for the health care delivery system.

Enumerates the priorities of the national health policy. Directs the Council to convene a National Health Conference to assist in performing its functions.

Requires each State to establish health areas, in cooperation with local elected officials, containing at least 500,000 in population.

Provides that each health area shall have a health planning agency.

Describes the term "health systems agency," including the legal, staff, and governing body structure requirements. Enumerates the functions of health systems agencies, including to analyze data, to establish a health system plan, and to establish an annual priorities statement.

Requires such agencies to coordinate with Professional Standards Review Organizations.

Requires such agencies to review and comment on proposed use of funds under this Act, the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act, or the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act.

Provides for the designation of health systems agencies.

Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to agencies. Details the form and content of such assistance. Empowers the Secretary to make grants to health systems agencies for carrying out their activities.

Authorizes appropriations for, such grants. Sets limits on such grants according to health area population.

Requires the Secretary of HEW to review and approve the annual budgets of health planning agencies.

Provides for designated Health Resources Development Agencies in each State, as nonprofit private corporations, to set priorities for developmental programs within approved health plans of the health agencies.

Requires such plans to include regionalization of specialized services, inpatient and outpatient services, and long-term care.

Prescribes functions for such Development Agencies, including: upgrading of health services, development of health care access for the underserved, and promotion of research, and assistance to health education.

Provides for the making of development grants for area health services development funds. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $125,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for such purposes.

Provides that, to be eligible for specified grants, a State shall designate or establish a single State agency for administering the State's health planning functions. Specifies the requirements to be met by State administrative programs. Enumerates the functions to be performed by each State health planning agency. States that a State health planning agency must be advised by a Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Sets forth the criteria for composition and duties of such Councils.

Empowers the Secretary to make grants to the States for the development and operation of State Health Planning Agencies. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes.