Arcawide hospital planning is examined and its relevance to future health planning is discussed. The study is the result of visits to 30 hospital planning councils and interviews with 75 planners in 1967. Areawide hospital planning is described as a process–a process of human involvement and exchange; an incremental process dependent on limited data, negotiation and compromise, and institutional planning; a process in large part guided by the planners. The need for a community process approach to health planning is suggested. However, with increased regulatory responsibilities vested in areawide agencies, the prospects for such a process appear doubtful.