Health Policy and Politics

1) Stakeholders, broadly speaking, include all those individuals and corporate entities whose lives and livelihood stand to be affected—whether for better or for worse—by a new government program or by changes in an existing program. What groups can you identify as important stakeholders in the formulation of health policy, and what roles do they typically perform in the dynamic process of developing and refining that policy?

(2) How do their efforts interact with those of other stakeholders?

(3) Illustrate by providing specific and detailed examples of how one or two specific stakeholder groups helped to shape the current form of some particular U.S. health or healthcare program (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, or the Affordable Care Act). Hint: think in terms of both CONFLICT and STRATEGIC ALLIANCE between stakeholders.

Your original discussion post should be at least 450 words; please include a word count at the end of your posting. You MUST use concepts, theories, facts, etc., from your textbook and/or from peer-reviewed journals or reputable internet sources in your discussion (and cite your sources).

Grading Criteria (points—original posts):

Interesting; provoked meaningful discussion; thoughtful; good insight; advanced use of readings/course materials (more than minimal); good writing.