rewyuin Rar et DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HEALTH RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20852 BUREAU OF HEALTH RESOURCES. DEVELOPMENT May 5, 1975 -Marilyn Doyle Program Coordinator Arthritis Total Care Project Vanderbilt University 1100 Baker Building, 210 21st Avenue, South Nashville, Tennessee 37203 Dear Ms. Boyle: This is in response to your letter to Mr. Matthew Spear on April 28, inquiring about the process of RMP transfers to support arthritis patient education planning and development workshops. We believe that the bil- ling process proposed in the letter from the Western Pennsylvania RMP, which you also enclosed, is an appropriate method for these funds trans- fers. You must assure that suitable funds receipt, holding, disburse- ment, and accounting practices are followed. Any transfer process which is acceptable to the contributing RMP can be _followed. The problems surrounding voluntary coordinated funding by the 29 RMP's arise from their individual funds accounting processes, and the conditions which were imposed on approved arthritis activities. Strict conditions were placed on substantive activities because of the nature of the authority under which the earmarked funds were provided, the limit- ed amount of funds, and the short support period in which programs could develop. However, the associated responsibilities of arthritis program coordination, assessment, and overall management were only generally addressed. This was because it was recognized that the Division of Region- al Medical Programs was not in a position to support a strong lead role . in such activities. The performance of such work devolved more fully on the RMP's individually, and collectively than might otherwise be the case. It was in recognition of these circumstances that the National Advisory | Council, in June 1974, agreed that unspecified coordination and followup activities should be pursued in connection with the pilot arthritis pro- gram. The Kansas City conference in January 1975 has lent specificity to the activities which should be pursued. It is left to each participat- ing RMP, however, to determine its interest, and financial capability with respect to arthritis grant program coordinative activities. The specific é er Page 2 - Marilyn Doyle process of funds transfers to your proposed endeavors will be subject, given an affirmative response to these considerations, to the availa- bility of funds which may have become available from within arthritis projects, from central RMP program management activities, or from other funds accessible to the RMP. . We hope that these comments will be helpful in resolving questions raised by the RMP's with which you are negotiating. Please contact us again if you need further information. SincereW yours, e . Gerald T. Gardell Acting Director, Division of Regional Medical Programs