Health Policy

Great Essays
The Role of Government in Health Policy
Introduction
Policy can be expressed across all levels of government. Whether appropriation of funding or decisions on critical needs, health policy leads as a top priority across all levels. In addition, health policy drivers other areas of governmental policy. Social, economic, and technological trends that are known to influence policy range from poverty status to environmental health. Both external and internal stakeholders play roles in what decisions are made and when they are made (Tableman, 2005). Policy making also examines the public’s receptiveness to healthy policy, the ability to gauge needs on research and evidence based practices, and changes that may occur in the long run for policies
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As a structured plan of action by the government, public policy is goal oriented decisions based on law. Not necessarily set by the legislators themselves, but more so by interconnected teams of individuals with vested interest in health policy (Independence Hall Association, 2014). Presidents can be agenda setters, but historically Congress has taken the lead in setting priorities in the United States when it comes to policies. Matters at home are handled by Congress, but foreign matters are handled by the President first with followed consultation by Congress. The President’s power in setting the agenda of lawmakers can take policies to the next level (Independence Hall Association, 2014). The Office of Global Health Diplomacy directs political efforts to improve global health missions of the United States’ while fostering sustainability, save lives, and collaborating to build shared global responsibility. From Global health initiatives to initiatives at home, the United States government works to ensure that health policy reflects current and future trends in healthcare (U.S. Department of State, 2016). Policy also involves decisions that are made, strategies used to meet program objectives, and allocating resources to meet goals and objectives. In developing and implementing policies, the …show more content…
Evidence based policy making checks what works, what falls short, what should be evaluated in further detail, and expected outcomes. Obtaining key outcomes means continually evaluating programs and activities to ensure that they account for all aspects of intended health outcomes. A new era of responsible governance to better inform decision making is crucial to the implementation process of health policies (MacArthur Foundation, 2014). Health policy is a very multifaceted system of connected groups and systems that work together for the good of the nation as a whole. Government is directed by the American public and it is important that at the forefront of every decision, the voice of the public remains

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