Introduction to Health Policy

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to health policy, including definitions, phases of policy development, and important legislation.

Public Policy

Authoritative decisions made by the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government that are intended to direct or influence the actions, behaviors, or decisions of others.

Health Policy

Decisions, plans, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific health care goals within a society.

Key Players

State and local government, federal government, private sector, and citizens involved in health policy.

Types of Health Policy

Includes laws, rules or regulations, and judicial decisions.

Formulation Phase

The phase of policy development involving agenda setting, defining relationships between problems, solutions, and political will.

Implementation Phase

Involves the use of resources to pursue the objectives of public laws.

Modification Phase

The phase in policy development that includes clarification, omission, and input from stakeholders.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

A law intended to increase access to affordable health insurance and improve healthcare financing.

Iron Triangle of Healthcare

A framework that describes the relationship between quality, access, and cost in healthcare.

Medicaid

A joint federal-state program that provides health coverage to low-income individuals.

Medicare

A federal program providing health insurance primarily to persons aged 65 and older.

Third Party Payers

Entities such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance that pay for healthcare services on behalf of the insured.

Health Insurance Market Reforms

Regulations aimed at ensuring better coverage, such as prohibiting denial for pre-existing conditions and ensuring coverage for essential health benefits.

Avoidable Deaths

Deaths which are preventable and treatable, with the U.S. historically having higher rates than OECD averages.

Essential Health Benefits

A set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans under the ACA.