Policies are constantly being reviewed and considered to help improve the federal, state, or local health care systems. Each one has the potential to affect each of us on a daily basis, so careful consideration must be given when policies are proposed. It is important to understand the process of how a topic eventually becomes a policy.
Choose a health care topic for which a policy might be formed.
*Note: be sure to look ahead and choose a policy topic that will be suitable for the second part of this assignment as well, due in Week Four.
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper on the complete process of how your chosen topic becomes a policy. In your paper, include the following information:
- State the objective of the policy.
- Define Formulation stage:
- Explain the process to formulate your policy and the involvement of stakeholders.
- Define Legislative stage:
- Explain the legislative body’s approval process needed to gain support (ie funding) for the policy and how stakeholders influence legislators’ decisions.
- Define Implementation stage:
- Identify the accountable parties and their roles in the various implementation stages of your policy.
Cite a minimum of five references.
Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Health care policies play a crucial role in determining the access to and quality of healthcare services in a community. Policies are formulated to address a specific health care issue and require the input of stakeholders and policymakers to ensure their effectiveness. As a medical professor, it is essential to understand the process of how a topic eventually becomes a policy. In this paper, we will take a closer look at the complete process of developing a policy for the selected health care topic.
Question: Choose a health care topic for which a policy might be formed.
One health care topic for which a policy might be formed is mental health parity. Currently, mental health coverage is not on par with physical health coverage in many health insurance plans in the United States. This disparity often results in inadequate coverage for mental health treatments and may prevent individuals from seeking the care they need. A policy could be developed to ensure that mental health benefits are equal to those provided for physical health conditions.
Objective of the Policy:
The objective of this policy is to ensure that individuals have equal access to mental health care services as they do for physical health care services. This policy aims to eliminate the disparities between physical and mental health benefits and improve the overall health outcomes for individuals affected by mental illness.
Formulation Stage:
The formulation stage involves the development of the policy proposal and the involvement of stakeholders. In the case of mental health parity, stakeholders may include mental health advocates, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and policymakers. The process of formulating the policy may involve the gathering of evidence to support the need for mental health parity. This evidence could include data on the prevalence of mental illness, the consequences of inadequate mental health treatment, and the economic benefits of mental health parity.
Legislative Stage:
The legislative stage involves seeking approval from legislators to gain support for the policy and the funding needed for implementation. In the case of mental health parity, policymakers would need to be educated on the need for this policy and the potential benefits it could bring. Stakeholders can play an essential role in influencing policymakers’ decisions by sharing their experiences and evidence supporting the policy. This may involve advocacy efforts, lobbying, and public education campaigns to increase awareness of the importance of mental health parity. Once policymakers are convinced of the policy’s importance, they can introduce the policy proposal in the legislative body for the approval process.
Implementation Stage:
The implementation stage involves identifying the accountable parties and their roles in the various implementation stages of the policy. In the case of mental health parity, insurance companies would need to ensure that they provide equal coverage for mental health treatments and physical health treatments. Healthcare providers would also need to be aware of the policy and ensure that they provide mental health services to their patients. Government agencies may play a role in monitoring the implementation to ensure that the policy’s objectives are achieved.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the process of developing a healthcare policy is a complex and multi-stage process that involves various stakeholders, policymakers, and government agencies. The mental health parity policy is an example of a policy that could benefit many individuals in the United States. The development of this policy requires the input of stakeholders, policymakers, and the public, and a comprehensive understanding of the process of policy development. By formulating, legislating, and implementing effective policies, we can improve access to quality healthcare services and improve the health outcomes of individuals in our communities.
