_-- Public Policy Network - Posting to PUBPOL-L --_


A current example of the intended effect of new technology development on
public policy is evident in the Advanded Technology Program of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (ATP/NIST). I particularly address the
focused competition on healthcare and the stated purpose of causing the
emergence of new medical services and new health administration systems while
signifcantly affecting the national economy. (Announcement 97-03
http://www.atp.nist.gov).

While discrete projects are common, pre-designed large scale system change is
more easily said than done. The challange is to purposively affect policy by
feat. Authoritarian to be sure, the second challange is to introduce
democratic processes in the large scale technology development without
interfering in the technology. The real meat of decision/policy-making occurs
in the technology planning to which academia and other observers rarely have
access. To the acclaim of policy analysts only, Cohen and Noll tried to
chronicle it as outsiders (The Technology Pork Barrel, 1991, Brookings).

I am organizing a major joint venture to apply for ATP/NIST HEALTHCARE
funding - for developing a large scale system(s) for health information
infrastructure for the next several decades. This is a significant venture
involving corporate sponsors, university health and medical organizations,
R&D organizations, and industrial organizations. It is a golden opportunity
to chronicle the technology/policy nexus
while participating.

So anyone out there interested in seeking an avenue to participate is invited
to contact me in confidence to explore interest and ways of participating.

While proposals are not due until 4/30/97, the lead time for organizing the
venture is very short. Please do not delay making initial contact.
Non-disclosue and confidentiality rules strickly apply. Therefore discussions
can only be made with PI's and organization top management and duly
authorized associates.

Stephen Miles Sacks, PhD,
Principal - SACKS RESEARCH/NATIONAL POLICY RESEARCH
Box 381
Ardmore, Pennsylvania 19003
Tel: 610-658-2332
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