Health Policy Research Summary

yAmerica has the benefit of having a healthcare system that is incredibly well developed, and made available to all its citizens. With this level of sophistication, there comes an inherent level of complexity that can sometimes be frustrating to its patrons, though healthcare organizations had come a long way from its roots. This paper will describe 10 different key areas that I believe may pertain to this course.

FederalismAs defined by the United States Constitution, "federalism is a fundamental aspect of American government, whereby the states are not merely regional representatives of the federal government, but are granted independent powers and responsibilities" (Federalism, n.d). Federalism animates the behavior of a wide range of health policy stakeholders, jockeying for advantage. Hence, positions on the appropriate balance of power between the federal government and the states generally flow less from abstract political theories than from concrete interests and preferences. American federalism not only features an ever changing balance of power between national and state officials, it also plays a catalytic role.

United States

United States

English: U.S. Health Insurance Status (Under 65)

Federalism intersects in myriad ways with efforts to enhance the nation's health.

LegislatorA legislator (or lawmaker) is an individual who creates or enacts laws and is usually a member of a legislative body. Legislators are politicians elected by the people. The United States legislatures consist of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Legislatures are national, state, and local.

Public HealthThe American Heritage Dictionary defines public health as "the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community, as by preventive medicine, health education, control of communicable diseases, application of sanitary measures, and monitoring of environmental hazards" (Public Health, n.d).

PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals are substances used to diagnose, cure, treat, and in the prevention of disease in humans and animals. Pharmaceuticals can be purchased either...