chapter 2 Federal Health Policymaking Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the branches of government, the policymaking process, and key organizations involved in federal health policy.

US Congress

The Legislative Branch composed of the House of Representatives ($435$ Districts) and the Senate ($100$, with $2$ from each state).

Origination Clause

A constitutional requirement specifying that all revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Executive Branch (Healthcare Role)

Composed of the President, Cabinet members, and Department heads (DHHS, DOJ, etc.), who craft legislation reflecting the administration’s policies and establish rules used to implement laws.

Judicial Branch

Consists of the US court system (District, Appellate, and Supreme Courts) and holds the power to declare federal and state laws unconstitutional if asked.

Agenda setting

The first part of the policy formulation stage where a health problem is selected as a policy target based on its magnitude, public opinion, and other factors.

Speaker of the House and Senate Majority Leader

Powerful individuals in the legislative process who determine if a bill will be introduced for consideration or not.

Tabling legislation

An action undertaken by Congress or a committee to postpone the consideration of a piece of legislation.

Amendment

A change or addition to a proposed law or piece of legislation that can sometimes be unrelated to the bill’s original purpose.

Pocket veto

A passive veto where a bill passes through Congress in the last $21$ days of a session but the President does not sign it into law.

Ways and Means Committee

A House of Representatives committee responsible for legislation concerning revenue or money coming into the government.

Appropriations Committee

A House of Representatives committee responsible for legislation concerning government spending or money going out.

AHRQ

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, an operating division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an operating division of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Rule Making

The process by which agencies set detailed rules and regulations to operationalize and enforce new laws, often involving expert consensus and public input.

Incremental approach

A characteristic of US health policymaking defined by small, disjointed reforms and expansions, such as Medicaid's expansion in the $1980$s and $1990$s.

Interest Groups

Well-organized policy demanders that combine members’ resources to influence all phases of the policymaking process.

AARP

American Association of Retired Persons, an interest group with over $30$M members that advocates for the expansion of public benefits for the elderly.

AHA

American Hospital Association, representing approximately $5,000$ hospitals and health systems in issues of national health policy.

AHIP

America’s Health Insurance Plans, representing over $1,000$ health insurance companies to advocate for affordable coverage expansion.

PhRMA

Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America, representing US pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies.

MHEAPA

Legislation that strengthened Marketplace plans to include mental health benefits as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

MMA

Legislation providing a subsidy for large employers to pay for prescription drugs for retired workers to discourage narrowing drug formularies.