Policy-making

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Policy-making

• Domestic and Economic

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Theories of Public Policy

• Definition of Public policy an intentional
  course of action or inaction followed by
  government in dealing with some problem or matter
  of concern.
• Elite theory elites have power to make and
  implement policy.
• Bureaucratic theory all institutions are under
  control of a bureaucracy that carries out policy
  using standardized procedures.

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• Interest group theory interest groups control
  the governmental process.
• Pluralist theory political resources are so
  widely scattered that no single group could ever
  gain absolute control over a large area of public
  policy.

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Policy-making Process

• 1. Problem recognition identify an issue of
  public concern. Request governmental
  intervention.
• 2. Agenda setting government recognition of a
  problem and need for action.
• 3. Policy formulation - identification of
  alternative approaches to the problem.

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• 4. Policy adoption formal selection of policies
  through legislative, executive, judicial, and
  bureaucratic means.
• 5. Budgeting allocation of resources for
  implementation.
• 6. Policy implementation administration or
  application of policies.
• 7. Policy evaluation accomplishments,
  consequences, shortcomings.

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Policy Implementation

• Authoritative techniques directed or restrained
  by govt to prevent or eliminate unsafe, unfair,
  evil, or immoral activities or products.
• Incentive techniques offer incentives to
  encourage people to act in their own best
  interests

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• Capacity techniques provide education,
  training, or resources to enable people to follow
  policies.
• Hortatory techniques encourage compliance by
  appealing to peoples better instincts.

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Domestic Policies - Health

• Medicare disabled or over 65.
• paid for by payroll deduction 1.45
• Four parts f benefits.
• A hospitalization, skilled nursing care,
  home health services.
• B Optional. Dr. services, X-rays, other
  things not covered by part A. Some charge to
  patient.

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• C Medicare Advantage programs private
  insurance companies. Exceeds coverage offered
  under Medicare.
• D Optional prescription drug benefit. Monthly
  premium plus deductible.

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• Medicaid subsidizes health insurance for the
  poor.
• Joint venture between national and state
  governments.
• Money given in form of block grants.
• States add supplemental monies.

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• National health insurance no universal health
  insurance.
• Strongly opposed by AMA.
• Major reform Patient Protection and Affordable
  Care Act. Main purpose is to assure that nearly
  all Americans have access to health care
  coverage. Government run healthcare insurance
  exchanges are key.

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• Public Health managing the growth of infectious
  and chronic diseases.
• AIDS, obesity, polio. measles, chicken pox.
• Required immunizations to be enrolled in school.
• Finances medical research through the National
  Institutes of Health.

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Education Policy

• Brown v. Board of Education desegregated
  schools
• Civil Rights Act promoted equality of
  opportunity
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act advance
  equality of opportunity.
• Conservatives privatization of education.

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No Child Left Behind Act

• 1. results-oriented accountability
• 2. flexibility in funding
• 3. best practices
• 4. school choice
• Vouchers certificates applied towards tuition
  to attend another school
• Charter schools semipublic schools

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Energy and Environmental Policy

• 1977 Department of Energy created.
• Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards
• Energy Act of 1977 tax breaks for alternate
  energy sources
• EPA
• Clean Air Act

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Ongoing Issues

• Healthcare budget shortfalls in the Medicare
  program. Possible solutions increase in Medicare
  tax on workers or increasing age of eligibility.
• Education NCLB is controversial too much
  standardized testing, teaching to the test,
  nationalizes education, mandates but no money.

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• Energy and Environment Renewable Portfolio
  Standards requires set amounts of electricity
  to be generated frpm alternative sources.
• Encourage citizens to go green