Public Policy and Health Public Policy and Priorities

public policy involves

complex and dynamic processes designed to improve society

typically a defined course of action/inaction taken by federal government (and other government entities) with regard to issue or set of issues

the public policy process

problem identification —> policy formulation —> policy adoption —> policy implementation —> policy evaluation —> problem identification

5 ways public policy impacts health

1. creation and regulation of public goods

2. regulation of natural resources

3. requirements and mandates to protect citizens

4. direct support

5. creation of opportunities and incentives

health public policy

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

an explicit health policy can achieve

a definition for a vision of the future which in turn helps establish targets/points of reference for short and medium term

key players of policy change

patients (the people)

providers

practice regulations (state level)

third party payers

industry

economy

government

what approach was taken for smoking cessation?

grassroots approach

what is an example of a healthcare public policy success?

medicare/medicaid