Reference no: EM132215139

Health Care Policy

The requirements, services, and benefits associated with federal programs vary from one geographic area to another. Such variation may result in consumer confusion and difficulties in understanding and accessing needed health care services.

This week, you examine the impact of health care policy's evolution on Medicaid and Medicare programs, analyze your state's Medicaid policies, and determine the stakeholders in health care policy development for your state.

You also identify individuals who represent "at-risk," marginalized, or oppressed populations and investigate the impact of these policies from the perspective of select populations.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze the impact of health care policy's evolution on Medicaid and Medicare programs

Analyze state Medicaid policies for possible amendment

Analyze stakeholders in health care policy development

Identify individuals who represent "at-risk", marginalized, or oppressed groups in society

Analyze the impact of policy from the perspective of marginalized populations

Analyze current social policy related to a social issue

Evaluate funding levels associated with a specific welfare policy

Photo Credit: Science Photo Library / Brand X Pictures / Getty Images

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Acker, Gila M. (2010). How social workers cope with managed care. Administration in Social Work, 34(5), 405-422.

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Concannon, L. (2009). Developing inclusive health and social care policies for older LGBT citizens. British Journal of Social Work, 39(3), 403-417.

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Discussion: Stakeholders in Health Care Policy

There are many stakeholders involved in health care policy issues, and they represent a wide variety of interests and perspectives. The health care industry employs many people. Though all stakeholders may share the goal of optimum individual and societal health and well-being, it is important to note that stakeholders' financial interests may influence decision making.

For this Discussion, review this week's resources. Consider the impact of health care policy's evolution on Medicaid and Medicare programs. Then, think about a specific Medicaid policy in your state that should be amended, and reflect on how you would amend it and why. Finally, research the stakeholders involved in Medicaid and Medicare health care policy in your state and consider the role of these stakeholders in policy development for this issue.

Post an explanation of how the evolution of health care policy has influenced programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Then, describe a specific Medicaid policy in your state that should be amended, and explain how you would amend it and why.

Finally, describe the stakeholders involved in the Medicaid and Medicare health care policy in your state, and explain the role of these stakeholders in policy development for this issue.

Support your post with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.

Respond to at least two colleagues in one of the following ways:

Describe two factors that might make minority groups especially vulnerable in the Medicaid policy your colleague cited. Explain why these groups may not have a voice in the policy-making process.

Offer examples of organized self-help and citizens' groups as both support mechanisms and potentially powerful lobbies. Describe how these lobbying bodies can help in amending the policy your colleague described.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.