Politics of U.S. Health Policy

Every modern nation faces similar health system challenges, such as promoting health and longevity, providing effective treatments, balancing benefits and burdens of medical technology, and controlling healthcare costs that grow faster than national income. U.S. seems uniquely disadvantaged with lower life expectancy, problematic quality of medical services, lack of insurance for millions, and highest costs in world, hampering families, businesses, and government. What political dynamics produced this result and influence possibility and direction of ongoing policy change? Examination of meaning of health and healthcare; international experience; current status, organization, and financing of U.S. healthcare system; and factors that affect national health policymaking, including comprehensive healthcare reform: framing of problems, role of public opinion, influence of interest groups, composition and organization of Congress, and opportunities for and applications of presidential leadership.

P/NP or letter grading.