Policy-making

Domestic and Economic

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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

• Capacity techniques – provide education, training, or resources to enable people to follow policies.

• Hortatory techniques – encourage compliance by appealing to people’s “better instincts”.

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.

C: Medicare Advantage programs – private insurance companies. Exceeds coverage offered under Medicare.

D: Optional prescription drug benefit. Monthly premium plus deductible.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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

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

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.

• Energy and Environment – Renewable Portfolio Standards – requires set amounts of electricity to be generated frpm alternative sources.

• Encourage citizens to “go green”