NURS 6226 FINAL EXAM PREP Introduction to Healthcare Policy ANSWERED 2026/2027 (8pages)

1. What is the difference between health policy and health law? Provide an example of each. - Health policy is a set of decisions or actions that aim to achieve specific health goals in a society, such as improving access, quality, or equity of health care. Health law is a branch of law that regulates the rights and obligations of individuals and organizations involved in health care, such as providers, patients, insurers, or regulators. An example of health policy is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded health insurance coverage and reformed the health care system in the US. An example of health law is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects the privacy and security of health information. 2. What are the main sources of health policy in the US? Explain the roles and responsibilities of each source. - The main sources of health policy in the US are the federal government, state governments, and private sector. The federal government has the authority to enact national health policies that affect all states and territories, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or the ACA. The state governments have the power to implement and modify federal policies according to their needs and preferences, as well as to create their own health policies that affect their residents, such as Medicaid expansion, insurance regulation, or public health programs. The private sector includes various actors that influence or shape health policy through advocacy, lobbying, research, or service delivery, such as professional associations, interest groups, think tanks, or health care organizations. 3. What are the main steps of the policy-making process? Describe each step briefly. - The main steps of the policy-making process are agenda setting, policy formulation, policy adoption, policy implementation, and policy evaluation. Agenda setting is the stage where a problem or issue is recognized and prioritized by policy makers or stakeholders. Policy formulation is the stage where possible solutions or alternatives are developed and analyzed by experts or advisers. Policy adoption is the stage where a policy solution is selected and approved by a legitimate authority, such as a legislature or an executive. Policy implementation is the stage where a policy is put into action by administrative agencies or organizations. Policy evaluation is the stage where a policy is assessed for its effectiveness, efficiency, equity, or impact. 4. What are some of the factors that influence agenda setting in health policy? Give an example of how each factor can affect the attention or priority given to a health issue. - Some of the factors that influence agenda setting in health policy are problem severity, public opinion, media attention, interest groups, political ideology, and windows of opportunity. Problem severity refers to how serious or urgent a health issue is perceived to be by policy makers or stakeholders. For example, a pandemic or an outbreak can increase the demand for immediate action and resources. Public opinion refers to how supportive or opposed the public is to a certain health issue or solution. For example, a high level of public support can increase the chances of a policy being adopted or implemented. Media attention refers to how much coverage or exposure a health issue receives from various media outlets. For example, a positive