44 NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW [January

Citizen Action . . . . Kim Taylor, Editor

Coalition Attacks Health Problems

Task Force Analyzes Local Delivery Systems

T H E National Urban Coalition has un- dertaken a project to focus national

attention on health care needs for the poor and is aiding local groups responsible for establishing delivery systems. Before these local organizations could attack the mag- nitude of interrelated and unidentified health problems, the coalition convened a health task force to study reallocation of resources, intergovernmental relations and the potential for cooperation between pri- vate organizations and all levels of gov- ernment. CITY magazine reports that the task force published its conclusions and recommendations on the delivery, distribu- tion and pricing of medical programs in “Prescription for Action.”

One of the recommendations was that local task forces organize to stimulate action programs. The Commonwealth Fund and the Millbanlc Memorial Fund provided technical assistance and financed small operating staffs in San Diego, El Paso, New Orleans, Tacoma, Washington, D. C., and Providence. Each staff was to initiate activity to provide a rational sys- tem of health care delivery, mindful of special community needs. As a follow-up to these local activities, the coalition spon- sored a seminar for an exchange of pro- gram experiences and technical assistance.

A more ambitious challenge was the coalition’s backing of the Metropolitan Washington Urban Coalition (MWUC) pilot project. This preliminary study showed that a system of prepaid group practices interested enough professionals, public officials and consumers to warrant development of a community health care

corporation. The National Urban Coali- tion then committed its resources to such a community-wide health maintenance corporation. A planning committee using the services of a health planning con- sulting firm, currently coordinates par- ticipation and financial commitment of employers, unions, city government of- ficials, insurance carriers and community groups.

The Washington experience shows the underlying problems in providing health care services. The financial barriers to adequate care prevent millions of Ameri- cans from seeking care except in an emer- gency. A health care system must serve not only those who can afford preventive medical care but also those who cannot. The major problems now confronting the M W U C effort is how the poor can be served by a corporation and which of the public and/or private groups will adopt the crusade for preventive medical care.

The National Urban Coalition has pre- pared to provide technical assistance to other selected coalitions and allied local groups which wish to organize similar corporations.

Maine Citizens Plan Recreation Development

Maine residents have realized that rec- reation facilities, programs and equipment have been too low on the list of local planning priorities. Since more people with more leisure time have begun to build weekend homes or travel to Maine from urban areas, development and pro- tection of recreation areas and facilities has become an important element in plan- ning the region’s future.

Municipal recreation departments or citizen committees have not existed in most Maine communities until recently. Since state statutes do not specifically

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provide for such departments, and other public issues have been more pressing, most town comprehensive plms do not consider any recreation needs or resources. With the upsurge in interest more than 20 citizen committees have been started since early 1970 and, according to Maine Townsman, they were empowered by the state legislature to plan and organize rec- reational programs for community groups.

These boards advise local legal bodies and their decisions are subject to review by the city manager. Despite this restric- tion recreation committees in many towns encompass so many interests that the board’s decision is final. For example, in Portland professionals from human ser- vices, YMCA, YWCA, Boys Clubs, com- munity centers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the University of Maine and United Com- munity Services of the Greater Portland Area formed an advisory committee on recreation services. This reportedly is a powerful force backing recreation issues and recommendations.

Urban Fellowship Program

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, with funds from the Ford Foundation, has awarded 37 fellowships to minority stu- dents for course work at 11 selected universities. The Urban Administration Fellows Program provides financial aid for students working toward public ad- ministration degrees with specialization in urban administration. This is a three- year project with more than 100 scholar- ships yet to be awarded. For the second year, now in the planning stage, the asso- ciation hopes to increase the number of participating students and universities. The association has also established a clearinghouse for information on students in federal, state or local government in- ternships (contact Don M. Blandin, As- sociate Executive Secretary, NASPAA, 1225 Connecticut Avenue, N. W. Wash- ington, D. C. 20036).

Citizens for Prosperity

Citizens for a New Prosperity was organized recently to strengthen the economy by encouraging voluntary citi- zen activity as an alternative to govern- ment controls. The nonpartisan group, headquartered in Washington, D. C., advocates cooperation between business and industry at all organizational levels and has endorsed the President’s program for economic stability to end inflation. These concerned citizens will inform the public of basic problems and alternative solutions to current economic problems by enlisting community and national leaders in a commitment to economic stability, encouraging the public to lobby for favorable economic policy decisions and urging them to act against inflation- ary practices. Citizens for a New Pros- perity feels that a public mobilized behind a sound program to achieve stability will produce the confidence necessary for or- dered economic growth and fuller employ- ment.

With the LWVs The League of Women Voters of Con-

necticut (60 Connolly Parkway, Hamden 06514) has published a profile examining the League’s philosophy and goals relative to the major projects undertaken in its 51-year history. Speaking Out for Good Government traces the league’s belief in structural reform beginning with its crusade for woman suffrage. These cam- paigns to allow greater citizen participa- tion in government decisions have in- volved election law reform, judicial reform and constitutional changes. Be- sides winning woman suffrage the league has been instrumental in allowing women to serve on juries, amending the state constitution to allow absentee voting and annual legislative sessions, and campaign- ing for environmental protection legisla- tion.