Chapter 10 Health Care Policy Issues Policy Defined

Chapter 10 Health Care Policy Issues

Policy Defined • Course of action developed to deal with a concern • Guidelines for directing behavior – Reflect values and beliefs of people setting the policy

Types of Policy • Social • Health – Regulatory policies – Allocative policies

Regulations • Guidelines written by governments that clearly explain how a law is implemented – Ex: Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101 - 336) enacted in 1994

Systematic Approach to Health Improvement

Health and Health Policy • Health determinants – – Biology and genetics Environment (physical, socio-economic, and cultural) Lifestyle choices and behaviors Availability of health related information and services

How Policies Are Made • • Stakeholders Issue at hand Advocacy Lobbyists

Types of Policy • Rational • Incrementalist • Stage sequential

Lomas Model

Longest Model

Health Policy and Finance • Implications for: – – – Medicare Medicaid State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) Military insurance Social Security

Big Issues Affecting Policy in the United States • Cost • Quality • Access

Healthy People 2010 • Federal, state, and local implications for health care and other social policies

Table 10 -3: Leading Health Indicators for the United States • • • Physical activity Overweight and obesity Tobacco use Substance abuse Responsible sexual behavior

Table 10 -3: Leading Health Indicators for the United States • • • Mental Health Injury and Violence Environmental Quality Immunization Access to Health Care