Policy-making

1. Policy-making Domestic and Economic

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Policy Implementation • Authoritative techniques – directed or restrained by gov’t 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

7. Capacity techniques – provide education, training, or resources to enable people to follow policies. • Hortatory techniques – encourage compliance by appealing to people’s “better instincts”.

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

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