1. PP 620: Public Policy and Health Administration Unit One Seminar Kris R. Foote, J.D., M.P.A., M.S.W. Kaplan University

2. Your Final Assignment For your Final Assignment, you will draft a 3-5 page paper identifying 8 specific legal, ethical, and financial management challenges associated with the implementation of various types of health policies and describe the best management practices for successfully resolving those challenges. The person should be employed in government or a nonprofit organization. This assignment will not only give you an opportunity to learn more about the field, but will also give you some real-world context for the skills and concepts you will study throughout your MPA program.

3. PP 620: Public Policy and Health Administration Welcome to the Unit One Seminar! Review of the course syllabus. Review of this week’s seminar. Review of this week’s Unit One course work: Decoding the Research for Proposal This Week’s Assignments: Introduce Yourself to your Classmates in first discussion Read ▫Chapters 1 and 2 in Essentials ▫Pages 3-85 in Essential Readings Review the Key Terms Discussion -Respond to the Discussion Board- 25 Points Seminar - Attend the Weekly Seminar- 25 Points

4. Unit 1 Overview Health Policy and the Policy Making Process In this unit you will be introduced to the subject of health policy. You will also review the general legislative process that formulates health policy and the roles of both the executive and judicial branches of the federal government and the administrative agencies that are responsible for drafting and administration of health policy. Finally you will also understand the role the various states under the concept of federalism that allows for some level of regulatory independence in the policy making and policy compliance process.

5. Introduce Yourself Throughout this course, you will have many opportunities to discuss class material with your professor and classmates and you will be expected to respond with your own opinions and comments. To get this dialogue started, please take this opportunity to introduce yourselves and become acquainted. Be sure to address the following questions: Tell us who you are (What state or country do you live in? What are some of your hobbies? Interests?) Do you have a nickname you prefer? What is your AIM name? What are your educational and career goals? How do you think this course will help you? What prior knowledge, if any, do you have about Public Policy and Health Administration? If you could interview one person in the past, present, or future, who would it be, and why?

6. Purpose of Unit 1 Describe the important role which public policy plays in managing the health of individuals and populations Describe the concepts of policy and policymaking Describe the basic function, structure, and powers of the legislative and executive branches of government

7. Discussion 1 How is Health Policy Formed and Why is the Process of Creating Comprehensive Health Policy So Complicated? What are the issues that are central to our current health policy debate? In what ways have special interest groups and political differences served to complicate the policy making process? Provide 2 examples of recent issues under discussion which are fundamental to the health reform debate but which currently are in dispute. Would the public be better served if these responsibilities were not subjected to the political process? What do you believe are the current reasons why health care reform is so hard to achieve? As you discuss the above subjects with your classmates, think about what you have learned from the various activities in this unit. Respond by clicking on the Respond link in the Threaded Discussion link at left. If applicable, use the ‘Select a Topic’ dropdown menu to select each topic. Take time to read and comment on the responses of others.

8. Unit 1: Reading Read Chapters 1 and 2 from Essentials and Readings 1 - 6 in Essential Readings Chapters 1 and 2 from Essentials These chapters introduce the role of policy and law in Health Care and Public Health in the United States and to the policy and policymaking process. You will also review the three conceptual frameworks for studying health policy and the law and determine how each framework influences the policy making process. The policy making process is also explored by reviewing the various federal agencies that are responsible for drafting and implementing health policy in the United States. Chapters 1 - 6 from Essential Readings in Health Policy and the Law This reading will assist you is distinguishing between public health and individual rights through the evaluation of case law which establish a framework for laws which support specific mandates for assuring public health and safety although they may seem to encroach individual rights and personal freedoms. The reading also details the findings and recommendations to assure the future of public health in the 21st century. These recommendations are presented along with an assessment of our government’s current capabilities to address them. This gap between what is desired as a policy outcome and what is currently available will be discussed throughout the course.

9. Key Terms Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): One of the largest federal agencies with health related responsibilities. A public, private, governmental, or military organization that provides emergency response. HHS houses many of the major public health insurance programs and health services that provide care, information, fund research, and advance policy around all aspects of health care and safety. Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health and efficiency through organized community efforts. It also describes the broad social enterprise or system which seeks to understand how specific behaviors and conditions affect the health and well being of the public in general and provide programs and services to maintain the health of the community. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): The Office plays an important role in the policy making process. The OMB is responsible for preparing the presidential budget proposal, which includes reviewing agency requests, coordinating agency requests with presidential priorities, working with Congress to draft the appropriation and authorization of bills, and working with agencies to make budget cuts when needed. Special Interest Groups: Groups that are created around a particular issue or population which have the goal of influencing policy and educating others about their views and concerns. They do not have the power to make health policy though they can play a significant role in trying to influence the decisions of policymakers.

10. Additional Resources Policy Issues Under Consideration by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) Web Field Trip : Visit the web site www.ahrq.gov and in the Search box type “Health Policy.” A number of documents describing pending or recently enacted health policies will appear. Review them to gain insight on the various health policy issues that are currently being reviewed by AHRQ.www.ahrq.gov The U.S. Constitution – Article 1 which addresses the roles and responsibilities of the legislative branch can be found at http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article1 http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article1 Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution which addresses the roles and responsibilities of the executive branch can be found at http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article2 http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Article2