This assignment is intended to help you learn to critically analyze a policy challenge in your local (city) government, understand its origins, assess the implemented policy actions, and evaluate the impact on the community.
Overview
In this series of assignments, you will be tasked with choosing a topic (or an issue) you would like to research as it progressed locally, statewide, and nationwide. In Module 2, you will focus on a local issue. In Module 3, you will discuss it as it moved to the state level. In Module 4, you will discuss it as it progressed to the federal level. In Module 5, you will describe the impact of the issue you chose on the policy formation process. In Module 6, you will provide a summary of the policy you chose and its development as the issue progressed locally, statewide, and nationwide.
Introduction
Even though the United States does not have a centrally controlled system of health care delivery, it does have a history of federal, state, and local government involvement in health care and health policy. The formation and implementation of health policy occurs in a policy cycle comprising five components:
- Issue raising
- Policy design
- Public support building
- Legislative decision making & policy support building
- Legislative decision making and policy implementation
These activities are likely to be shared with Congress and interest groups in varying degrees.
Below are few examples of current issues in health policy but you are not limited to these few. You are free to choose any current issues related to health policy that has an impact at their local, state and federal levels.
- Prescription Drug Costs – A quarter of Americans can’t afford necessary prescriptions and may skip doses or otherwise not take medication as prescribed.
- High Costs of Healthcare – The United States has one of the highest costs of healthcare in the world.
- Availability of Skilled Workforce – The United States needs more than 17,000 additional primary care practitioners, 12,000 dental health practitioners and 8,200 mental health practitioners, according to data from the Health Resources & Services Administration. Those numbers are based on data that HRSA receives from state offices and health departments.
- Fee-for-Service Healthcare – FFS means that medical staff bill for each service provided, using established billing codes. The more care a physician provides, the more they’re paid, this can lead to unnecessary tests and treatments.
- Health Equity – Why are there disparities in health care outcomes between different populations?
The process establishing new health policy includes defining a problem, collecting data, researching solutions, choosing a course of action, implementing the plan, and evaluating the results. During each step, policymakers must weigh economic, political, social, legal, ethical, and administrative factors.
Organizational Websites
- Health Policy Institute of OhioLinks to an external site.
- The Urban Institute – Health Policy CenterLinks to an external site.
- Brookings – Center for Health PolicyLinks to an external site.
- National Academy for State Health PolicyLinks to an external site.
- Kaiser Family FoundationLinks to an external site.
- Robert Wood Johnson FoundationLinks to an external site.
Action Items
In this module, you will focus on your local (city) government and a specific policy challenge it faces. Follow the steps below to complete your assignment:
- Read the Overview and rubric for this assignment.
- Define the Problem in your Local Area: Identify and describe a specific issue or problem within your local community that has prompted the implementation of a policy. Provide background information on the problem, including its causes and potential consequences. (Word limit: 200 words)
- State the Policy: Identify 1 to 3 specific policy actions that have been implemented to address the identified problem. Explain the key components of each policy and how they are intended to mitigate the issue. (Word limit: 200 words)
- Make Your Case: Analyze and present arguments in favor of the selected policy actions. Consider the stakeholders involved, the political and social context, and any supporting evidence or data. Make a compelling case for why these policies were deemed necessary. (Word limit: 300 words)
- Discuss the Impact of the Policy on Your Local Area: Evaluate the effectiveness and consequences of the implemented policy actions on your local community. Discuss any notable improvements or drawbacks resulting from the policies. Consider the perspectives of various stakeholders and provide evidence to support your analysis. (Word limit: 300 words)
- Proofread your paper before submission. Ensure that your assignment is well-organized, coherent, and free from grammatical errors.
- Submit the completed first draft of your assignment. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin.
- Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work as needed based on the feedback.
- By the due date indicated, re-submit the final version of your work.
Rubric
Module 2, 3, and 4 Current Issues in Health Policy
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDefining the Problem | 15 to >13.0 ptsProficientThe problem is clearly defined, including relevant context, statistics, and stakeholders. The student demonstrates a deep understanding of the local issue.13 to >12.0 ptsAcceptableThe problem is adequately defined with some relevant context, statistics, and stakeholders identified. The student demonstrates a good understanding of the local issue.12 to >0 ptsUnacceptableThe problem is vaguely defined, with limited context, statistics, and stakeholder identification. The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the local issue. | 15 pts | |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeStating the Policy | 10 to >9.0 ptsProficient1 to 3 specific policy actions addressing the problem are clearly identified, along with a concise explanation of each policy. The choices are well-researched and directly related to the defined problem.9 to >8.0 ptsAcceptable1 to 3 specific policy actions addressing the problem are identified with an explanation for each policy. The choices are relevant to the defined problem. Some research is evident.8 to >0 ptsUnacceptable1 to 3 policy actions are mentioned, but the explanation is lacking detail or relevance. Limited research is evident. The connection to the defined problem is weak. | 10 pts | |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMaking Your Case | 10 to >9.0 ptsProficientProvides a compelling argument for the chosen policy actions, incorporating well-researched evidence, expert opinions, and/or relevant case studies. The rationale is clear, persuasive, and effectively supports the policy choices.9 to >8.0 ptsAcceptablePresents a logical argument for the chosen policy actions, including some supporting evidence or expert opinions. The rationale is reasonable and mostly supports the policy choices.8 to >0 ptsUnacceptableProvides a weak or incomplete argument for the chosen policy actions. Limited or no supporting evidence or expert opinions are provided. The rationale lacks coherence and does not effectively support the policy choices. | 10 pts | |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussing the Impact | 10 to >9.0 ptsProficientThoroughly discusses the impact of the policy actions on the local area, including both intended and unintended consequences. The analysis demonstrates critical thinking and is supported by relevant data or examples.9 to >8.0 ptsAcceptableAdequately discusses the impact of the policy actions on the local area, covering both intended and unintended consequences. The analysis is supported by some relevant data or examples.8 to >0 ptsUnacceptableProvides a superficial or incomplete discussion of the impact of the policy actions on the local area. Limited consideration of unintended consequences is evident, and little supporting data or examples are provided. | 10 pts | |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA, Grammar, Mechanics | 5 to >4.0 ptsProficientFollows APA guidelines for writing skills, formatting, citing, and referencing sources. Contains no notable spelling, grammatical, and/or other errors.4 to >3.0 ptsAcceptableMostly follows APA guidelines for writing skills, formatting, citing, and referencing sources. Contains few notable spelling, grammatical, and/or other errors.3 to >0 ptsUnacceptableDoes not follow APA guidelines for writing skills, formatting, citing, and referencing sources. Contains several notable spelling, grammatical, and/or other errors. | 5 pts | |
| Total Points: 50 | |||
