Health Planning Act

Health Planning Act - Provides that the Governors of each State, subject to the approval of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, shall establish health areas with respect to which health planning agencies shall be designated.

Sets forth criteria that each health area shall meet.

Declares that, within 120 days following the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register proposed boundaries for health that if the States fail to establish health areas within 60 days following the date of enactment, the Secretary shall establish such health areas soliciting the views of the Governor of each State.

Defines the terms "health planning agency" and "Public Benefit Corporation".

States that a health planning agency shall have a staff which provides the agency with expertise in at least the following: (1) the gathering and analysis of data, (2) planning and (3) health manpower, facilities, and services.

Sets forth provisions for each planning agency's governing body.

Enumerates the functions of health planning agencies including the functions a health planning agency shall perform in implementing its long-range and short-term plans.

Provides that in conducting reviews of proposed health system change, each health planning agency shall follow procedures and apply criteria developed and published by the agency in accordance with regulations of the Secretary.

Lists the minimum procedures to be included by each health planning agency and State Health Commission in reviewing proposed health system changes. Enumerates the elements to be considered for agency and Commission review.

Enables the Secretary to provide all necessary technical and nonfinancial assistance (including the preparation of prototype plans of organization and operation) to nonprofit private entities which: (1) express a desire to organize a public benefit corporation to be designated as a health planning agency, and (2) the Secretary determines have a potential to meet the requirements of a health planning agency.

Permits the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit private entities to assist them in meeting the costs of complying with the organization and operation requirements; authorizes to be appropriated for this purpose $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1976 and 1977.

Requires the Secretary to designate a health planning agency, upon the recommendation of the State Health Commission, for each health area established.

Prohibits the Secretary from entering into an agreement for the initial designation of an entity as the health planning agency for a health area unless the Governor of each State in which such area is located approves such designation of such entity.

Directs the Secretary to provide health planning agencies and State Health Commissions (1) model health plan and planning processes, (2) technical materials and standards for use in health planning, and (3) such other technical assistance as they may require to perform their functions. Enumerates the elements to be included in these materials provided by the Secretary.

Requires that the Secretary make in each fiscal year a grant to each health planning agency with which there is in effect at the beginning of the fiscal year a designation agreement. Provides that this grant shall be made on such conditions as the Secretary determines are appropriate and shall be used by a health planning agency for compensation of agency personnel, collection of data, planning, and other activities of the agency. Prohibits a health planning agency from using this grant to make payments under a grant or contract with another entity for the development of health services.

Provides a formula for determing the amount of any grant to any health planning agency, the minimum amount being $150,000. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1976.

Declares that the Secretary shall make in each fiscal year a grant to each health planning agency to enable the agency to establish an Area Health Planning Development Fund from which it may make grants and enter into contracts. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $125,000,000 for fiscal year 1976.

Directs the Secretary to review and approve the annual budget of each health planning agency with which there is in effect a designation agreement.

Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the qualified agency designated by the Governor of each State as the State Health Commission. Lists the criteria of organization and operation of a "qualified agency".

Enumerates the criteria for a State administrative program for the performance within the State by its State Health Commission of the regulatory functions prescribed by this Act. Lists the regulatory functions of each State Health Commission.

Authorizes to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1975 and 1976 for grants the Secretary may make to States to assist in meeting the costs of developing State Health Commissions.

Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for grants the Secretary may make to States for the operation of State Health Commissions.

Permits the Secretary to make grants and loans to public and nonprofit private entities to assist in meeting the costs of construction projects for health facilities and to guarantee to non-Federal lenders payment of principal and interest on loans made by such lenders to non-profit private entities for such projects. Provides a maximum loan of 90 percent of the cost of such project.

Directs the Secretary, with the consent of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to obtain from the Department of Housing and Urban Development such assistance with respect to the administration of these grants and loans as will promote efficiency and economy.

Makes general provisions relating to loans and loan guarantees.

Establishes in the Treasury a loan guarantee and loan fund available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation. Authorizes to be appropriated to provide capital required for the fund $100,000,000 in the aggregate for fiscal years 1974-1976. Authorizes the Secretary to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury notes or other obligations to enable the Secretary to discharge his responsibilities.