Policy Making and the Role of Public Opinion

This assignment will guide you through the process of making policies, enabling you to better understand the multiple levels in policy-making decisions.

• Discuss the role of public opinion in US healthcare policy making. How did opinions from constituents, public sector, and private sector impact the policy making process?
• Discuss the similarities and differences between the Massachusetts healthcare reform law and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. How did public opinion positively or negatively impact the development of each policy?
• What is the relationship between the state and federal government in policy making?
• How is the balance of power between the two weighed?
• Explain checks and balances when it comes to policy making.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Discussed the similarities and differences between state and federal public health policies.
• Examined the relationship between the state and federal government in policy making.
• Explained the role of public opinion in policy making.
• Explained how the balance of power between the two is weighed.
• Explained the checks and balances when it comes to policy making.
• Justified your answers with appropriate research and reasoning.