Restructuring Federalism: The Effects of Decentralized Federal Policy on States' Responsiveness to Family Planning Needs

Abstract

The Reagan Administration sought to decentralize many federal programs by (1) consolidating categorical grants into black grants; (2) reducing their funding; and (3) relying more upon state fiscal support. This study examines the effects of this decentralist policy upon the federal family planning program. Two periods are analyzed: (1) FY 1976-1981, the period immediately prior to the Reagan Administration and (2) FY 1982-1987, the period during the Reagan Administration. Findings show that a more decentralized program produced less responsiveness to individual state needs for family planning, and that these effects could have been predicted from the previous period.

Role of GIS in Social Sector Planning: Can Developing Countries Benefit from the Examples of Primary Health Care (PHC) Planning in Britain?

“…Mullen [7], McFarlane [8], Elstad [9], Curtis and Taket [10], mainly with reference to decentralized planning, argue that achievement of equality cannot be taken for granted among decentralized units there will be a need for pains taking efforts. Similarly if we refer back in history, according to [11] decentralized planning requires coordinated approach, simply declaring a decentralization policy is not enough.…”