Health v. health care 2 terms used loosely WHO: ‘health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease” Health care- usually pertains to the system of financing and delivering personal medical care Much of our health is based on social determinants- housing, education, social capital, our natural environment ALL shaped by policy decisions made outside of the health care system

Health policy addresses questions such as: Where are we with our health care? How did we get here? Where do we want to be? What other alternatives are available? What is likely to work in the future given our political processes? What roles should health professionals and ordinary citizens play in the process? How can we become better prepared for such roles?

The Key Players National government State and local government Health care institutions Provider professionals Payer organizations (employers & insurers) Individuals (consumers)

Policy Analysis Process Problem identification Process definition Process analysis Qualitative analysis Evaluation Technical or political feasibility; economic and financial viability Recommendation

Policy Analysis Process and Health Professionals The context Health Professions and Professionals Policy analysis

Health Policy influences you: Education Health care Water/food Your profession- funding, accreditation What other policies influence your day to day activities?

Where do PTs and other healthcare professionals fit in? Low level of influence of health professionals on policy in the US Focus on what policy is doing to them, not what they can do to change policy Professionally prepared leaders are important High cost for time spent on policy Recent interest based on provider dissatisfaction with changes in professional autonomy, incomes, and working conditions under managed care Lack of time and skills- decreased confidence in policy advocacy