Legislative Branch Role in Health Policy

This article discusses the role of the legislative branch in crafting health policies in the US. It also explores the impact of political interest groups and ethical issues on healthcare policy. The article provides historical context and examples of recent healthcare reforms in the US.

Running head: AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 1
American Government
Name:
Institutional Affiliation:

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT 2
American Government
Legislative Branch Role in Health Policy
Legislative branch of government works together with both executive and judicial
branches to craft the law. The department of healthcare has since been a crucial area for all
governments internationally. Its main objective is to make sure that all citizens are benefited by
policies and strategies made by the management. United State has always been on the look to
form healthcare reforms that are beneficial to the public. Reforms of healthcare are done based
on internal and external factors, but the senate from every government would amend these
existing policies. For example, government implemented Medicare and Medicaid policy (Givan,
2016).The Obama administration came with its own healthcare reforms and made some changes
in the Medicare and Medicaid. But, when Donald Trump and Republicans took over the United
State government, they decided to repeal and replace Obama care. Republican state officials
changed Obama administration so as to impose new premiums and work necessities on
employees as part of the expansion.
Since the Second World War, the American Government has had a series of debates over
the national health care system reforms. The historical development of the American political
system focused on refining the features of national health care system. And in 1982 majority of
Americans were not satisfied with the system. In 1987 the Americans reported a positive
feedback about the system but in 1993 the majority of citizens showed dissatisfaction the
accessibility and affordability of health care. To add on that in the past the American government
improved the health care policy by increasing the supply of physicians.

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Politicians are elected majorly based on the issues they stand to address. But the political
interest groups can either or not support these issues. This group objective is to use all their
available resources to support or overpower the groups’ concern. Their resources are used to
make their issues to be a public policy. They do this by lobbying, and taking legal action. AARP
supported President Clinton health care reform package and were given a political blow (Kent
Portney, Jeffrey Berry, 2013).When the Republican took over in the year 1994, it led to a scaling
back of federal government role to create programs that benefit the seniors.
The recent US presidential elections between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton clearly
illustrate some factors of demography. The male gender and the white people supported
Republican, while the females and minor ethnic groups supported Hillary who was the
Democrat’s contender (O’Flaherty, 2015). The UK’s Brexit referendum caused a huge division
among the age, economic and educational backgrounds. In addition, Trumps comments about the
Mexicans bringing drugs, being rapists, and having a lot of problems caused him to garner little
back up from Hispanic communities. Lastly, Trump caused controversy when he made
comments on women that they are dogs and slobs thus driving women to vote for Clinton.
Health care policy is affected by ethical issues that influence people’s lifestyle and views
(Feldstein, 2011). They are also initiated, funded, and influenced by powerful private and public
organizations. Furthermore, ethical issues and cultural sensitivities regarding advertising
influence health care policy when it uses techniques like omissions, use of children, very
emotional appeals, and extreme exaggerations. These interventions can also have effects on
cultural aspects of society such as turning health into value or making a specific lifestyle into an
idea.

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Reference
Feldstein, P. J. (2011).Health Policy Issues: An Economic Perspective (Vol. 5th ed). Chicago:
Givan, R. K. (2016). The Challenge to Change : Reforming Health Care on the Front Line in the
United States and the United Kingdom. Ithaca, NY: ILR Press.
Health Administration Press.
Kent E. Portney, & Jeffrey M. Berry. (2013). Sustainability and Interest Group Participation in
City Politics. Sustainability, Vol 5, Iss 5, Pp 2077-2097 (2013), (5), 2077.
O’Flaherty, B. (2015). The Economics of Race in the United States. Cambridge, Massachusetts:
Harvard University Press.