We received 484 dispensary applications over the last 2 weeks.  As you know, we have 126 Community Health Analysis Areas (CHAAs) and a maximum of 126 possible dispensaries (one per CHAA).   Some of our CHAA’s received multiple applications- for example, the Estrella CHAA had 16 applicants and the Flagstaff E  CHAA 13 had applicants.  Many other CHAAs had only 1 applicant. 27 areas didn’t receive any applications.  You can see the number of applications by CHAA on our website.

Our team just finished logging all of the applications that we received and has already started reviewing some of the applications for “Administrative Completeness”.  Any applications that are “Administratively Incomplete” (in other words, if they’re missing something) will be returned to the applicants so they can correct whatever is wrong.  In June, we’ll be checking for “Substantive Completeness” (which is a more thorough, quality review), and the applicants will have another chance to make corrections.  We expect to award all of the Registration Certificates on August 7.

Registration Certificates will be awarded to applicants in CHAAs with only 1 applicant on August 7 as long as their application is Administratively and Substantively complete.  We’ll be holding a random drawing on August 7 to award Certificates in the CHAAs with more than 1 qualified applicant.   Of course, some CHAAs will not have a dispensary this year because we didn’t have an applicant.

We also had our hearing regarding adding debilitating medical conditions this afternoon at our Laboratory.  We heard from dozens of folks – some urged us to add the conditions and some that urged us not to.  We have also received hundreds of comments on-line.  We have several more weeks before we need to make a decision.  If you’d like to view the public comment session, we have a link on our website.

On paper, one EMS agency looks much the same as another.  But there’s a huge difference when one agency or facility commits to a comprehensive improvement program – a program that involves evaluation of clinical and operational practices, develops plans to overcome shortfalls, tracks initiatives to ensure the intended goal is achieved and continues to monitor and identify new opportunities for improvement.  

In short, agencies or facilities that commit to program improvement add tremendous value to the patient and to the community by reducing the impact of illness and injury.  That’s why we’re so focused on recruiting key partners into our system- through our Premier EMS Agency Program.  Check out our participation materials including our Arizona Blueprint for a Premier EMS Agency; Application & Handbook; Data Submission Application; and Data Submission Guidelines

For almost a month, folks have been commenting on line about the petitions to add conditions.  More than 80 people have provided input so far.  At the hearing on Friday, speakers will have two minutes to address one of the conditions.  (The hearing will be broken into two segments – the first is to hear about the PTSD studies and runs from 1 until 2:30.  The second half from 2:30 until 4 is for the other three.)   We’ll open the doors at 12:55. 

We’re also streaming the audio from the session on our website for people that can’t make it to Health Services (we’re having technical difficulties with the video- but that might work too by then).  Anybody can use the online comment tool to provide input to the final decision.  There’ll be a room at ADHS to listen to the live stream of comments in our 1740 W. Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85007 building in case the meeting room is over capacity.  The time will be the same as the public comment session – 12:55 – 4 p.m.

Changing anything the voters have created comes with a heavy responsibility – one we take seriously.  We’ll listen to the folks who come to ADHS and read the written comments before we make any decisions about adding new conditions.  The decisions will likely come in July.

In a signed letter from the First Lady, Mrs. Obama thanked ADHS “for the work done each day to help our Nation’s children grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.”  For more information about the Empower program visit: http://www.azdhs.gov/empowerpack/

We wrote a feature about our own Matt Gainey-  who made tremendous strides to change his health.  Matt is just one of many success stories in Arizona.  We’ve created a website that collects stories like Matt’s as well as success stories from communities across the state.  Let us know what you’ve done to make a difference in your community – together we can put the brakes on the growth of obesity and work for people to have health at every size.  You can watch the documentary online for free here: http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/.  The full report and supporting materials, including recommendations on promoting physical activity and supporting healthy eating and healthy weights, are available online.

This year’s flu season hit later and was lighter than last years. But it is still circulating so you need know what to do if you get the flu.  It’s much worse than a cold with a high fever, achiness, cough, and tiredness.  The main distinction from a cold is how fast you get sick.  A cold develops and the flu hits you quickly.

The best thing you can do about the flu is stay home if you’re feeling sick.  Be sure to cover your cough and wash your hands.

Any applications that are “Administratively Incomplete” (in other words, if they’re missing something) are being returned to the applicants so they can correct whatever is wrong.  In June, we’ll be checking for “Substantive Completeness” (which is a more thorough, quality review), and the applicants will have another chance to make corrections.  We expect to award all of the Registration Certificates on August 7.  If there’s only 1 qualified applicant in a Community Health Analysis Area- that applicant will be awarded a Certificate.  We’ll be holding a random drawing on August 7 to award Certificates in the CHAAs with more than 1 qualified applicant. 

Prospective applicants can check out our Registration Certificate Application Checklist, Instructions, and the official Application on our Medical Marijuana Dispensary webpage.  We’re refreshing our dispensary application page each weekday around the close of business to show how many applications we’ve received by Community Health Analysis Area.  Applicants have until next Friday (May 25) to finish and turn in their paperwork.

Today’s agreement also ties into the additional $38.7M we received in the budget that was recently signed.  That funding is for community-based, recovery-oriented behavioral health services for folks with a serious mental illness that don’t qualify for Medicaid (AHCCCS).  Our next task is to build our investment plan for those funds- and that means getting solid Stakeholder input to help us make important advancements in our service delivery and to demonstrate Arizona’s commitment to using effective community-based services and supports that allow individuals with serious mental illnesses to live successfully in their own homes and communities. 

We’ll be hosting several stakeholder meetings next week to share our thoughts and hear ideas and proposed approaches on the best use for this funding.  Our meeting with our Tribal and Regional Behavioral Health Authority partners will be on next Tuesday and our meetings with behavioral health providers, including peer and family-run organizations that serve individuals with serious mental illnesses will be next Wednesday.  You can see more detail in Dr. Nelson’s Stakeholder Letter.

Diabetes is largely preventable and manageable… and folks with well-managed diabetes do much better.   The cornerstone for prevention is better nutrition and more physical activity.  The cornerstone for treatment is self-management, education and training.  Our 2011 Diabetes Burden Report is a work in progress, as our staff will be updating it on a yearly basis in consort with our partners and other stakeholders across the state.  It’s a valuable resource for improving our collective efforts to fight the alarming trends of diabetes through prevention, early detection, and effectively disease management.