Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision

Running head: HEALTH CARE 1
POLICY, POWER AND POLITICS IN HEALTH CARE PROVISION
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HEALTH CARE 2
Question one answer.
A Policy cycle assists in the splitting of the policymaking process into various stages so
that an excellent policy developed. The cycle bears six important stages starting with agenda
setting, policy formulation, legitimation, implementation, evaluation and lastly, policy
maintenance, succession, and termination. Each of the stages plays a crucial part in assuring
proper decision making and development of the best new policy (Janssen, & Helbig, 2018).
Agenda setting stage focuses on identification of the problems that require attention,
deciding the matters that deserve much attention and describing the nature of the difficulty.
Policy formulation is the second stage which aids in setting aims, revealing the cost and
appropriating the result of solutions — additionally, selection of the best solutions from the
highlighted ones as well as choosing policy instrument (Camagni, & Capello, 2017).
Legitimation being the third stage of policy cycle entails ensuring proper support of the
selected policy instrument — several approvals by executives, legislative or seeking accord via
consultation with the group involved and referenda. Policy legitimation is vital since it legalizes
the policy to implement sooner. Implementation is the fourth stage in the policy cycle that
involves assigning a group of people to take responsibility for implementing policy by ensuring
that all the necessary equipment, resources, and facilities are available.
Evaluation stage is very vital since it analyses the success of the policy made in terms of
desired outcome, correct implementation and decision making. The last stage entails making
considerations as whether to continue, modify or discontinue the policy. Hence, the policy cycle
is useful, simple and easily understood to assist in making the best policy. Policy cycle the best

HEALTH CARE 3
tool since it emphasizes on a systematic and strategic manner of making any decision to bring the
best result as per the will of the administration in any political ground (Prebisch, 2016).
Question two answer
Health policy document refers to a manuscript that indicates the strategies, choices, and
activities that are undertaken to ensure that the set aims and goals for healthcare accomplished.
While government policy document is an article that bears written laws that govern the citizens
and goals to be attained by the government of a specific nation in terms of the development of
the country (Harris, Balmer, & Sidebotham, 2018).
Health policy document bears the following types of health policies of the pertaining
provision of healthcare: vaccination policy, global health policy, breastfeeding promotion policy,
insurance policy, pharmaceutical policy, tobacco control policy, mental health policy, personal
healthcare policy, and public health policy. They explain matters concerning the provision of
quality care, financing, access to care, health equity and delivery of healthcare. Also, health
policy document contains rules about recruitment of health practitioners and what expected
during the delivery of healthcare services in health institutions.
The health policy document also contains well-defined laws that govern health education
to the students who are pursuing the course at any level of health. The document has all the
principles about the training of health students, and internship practice is jotted down. Also,
health delivery to all areas in the nation outlined, which is rural and remote areas and urban
centers. Further, laws governing utilization of the fund allocated for advancing matters in health
for example building of hospitals in rural areas. The health policy document is very important for
it ensures information concerning health is passed correctly to avoid mistakes brought by