Integration Licensing Forums
Earlier this year the Governor signed HB 2634 which directs us to develop new rules for licensing places that can provide both behavioral and physical health services. We’re excited about this rulemaking because it supports our efforts to establish coordination and collaboration between all behavioral health and physical health providers. We’ve developed a preliminary plan to facilitate the integration of [...]
The Health Care/Public Health Continuum
In the world of health care- the clinician works with patients individually. They examine various indicators of health for their patient including direct observations and laboratory or other diagnostic tests and implement interventions to help their patient improve their health. Providers also encourage their patients to live healthy lifestyles and take safety precautions- and help patients with preventative care by [...]
RSV Ramping Up in AZ
Respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV) is a respiratory virus that mainly affects little kids- and circulates around this time of year. There’s no vaccine- but clinicians can give a preventive antibody treatment to folks at greatest risk (e.g. premature infants). It spreads mostly in the winter (like influenza) but flu and RSV don’t usually peak at the same time. Influenza activity [...]
Annual US Mexico Border Health Commission Meeting
I was fortunate to be able to attend the US-México Border Health Commission Annual Meeting in Ensenada this month. Mary Wakefield(Administrator for HRSA) and Víctor Hugo López Aranda (General Director of the National Commission of Social Health Protection) attended some of the meetings (and social events) and co-chaired the Plenary Session. Victor was representing the new Secretary of Health for Mexico (Chertorivski). We [...]
Kick the Habit
This month the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline expanded its arsenal of resources to help smokers quit tobacco with the addition of the Call it Quits app which debuted on ASHLine's Facebook page this week and will soon be introduced as an iPhone app. The Call It Quits app on Facebook and iPhone are another free tool brought to you by the ASHLine to help smokers win their battle against tobacco. The Arizona Smokers’ Helpline, which has [...]
Our Next Rulemaking Adventure
We’ll be kicking off our newest Rulemaking Adventure on Monday... when we begin the process of putting together Rules for our Licensing shop that streamline and support healthcare integration- allowing the flexibility for healthcare institutions to provide a blend of physical and behavioral health services. The idea is to put together licensing rules that are flexible and allow various integrated healthcare models. [...]