Health Policymaking in the United States, Sixth Edition

In the past decade, the nation experienced an unusually active period in health policy with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Historically, health policymaking has been a slow yet persistent evolution. The ACA, in spite of its magnitude, is an excellent example of the incremental evolution that characterizes policymaking in the United States. This book provides context and background for understanding the development of today s health reform legislation. In the new edition of this widely used book, Beaufort Longest provides a framework for understanding the formulation, implementation, and modification of health policymaking at both the federal and state levels. Students will learn how policymaking relates to decisions that affect healthcare providers and patients. They will also gain insight into how they can influence the policymaking process. Incorporated in the book are excerpts from congressional testimony, news stories, executive orders, legislation, and other documents related to real-world policy issues. Thoroughly updated and revised, this edition: Discusses the ACA extensively, with examples of both its formulation and its implementation Expands coverage of policymaking s implementation phase Provides a new chapter on the role of courts in health policy and policymaking Includes more than 30 appendices, many brand new to this edition, to illustrate the policymaking process