The Health Care Policy Process [Paperback]

The Health Care Policy Process enables the reader to develop a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of health policy studies, to analyze the extent to which policies can be changed or influenced by those involved at the different stages of the policy process, and to assess both the need and the scope for change. The author considers the relationship between planning and policy, looks at key concepts in analyzing health care issues, and examines some of the debates overshadowing today's health policy agenda.The Health Care Policy Process enables the reader to develop a clear understanding of the scope and objectives of health policy studies, to analyze the extent to which policies can be changed or influenced by those involved at the different stages of the policy process, and to assess both the need and the scope for change. The author considers the relationship between planning and policy, looks at key concepts in analyzing health care issues, and examines some of the debates overshadowing today's health policy agenda.PART ONE: WHAT ARE HEALTH POLICIES AND HOW ARE THEY MADE?
Why Study Health Policy?
What Does Health Care Do for Society?
The Policy Process
PART TWO: STUDYING HEALTH CARE POLICIES
Approaches to Policy Studies
Designing a Policy Study
Techniques and Methods for Policy Studies
PART THREE: ANALYZING HEALTH CARE POLICIES
Introduction
Power
Professionalism and Bureaucracy
PART FOUR: KEY ISSUES IN HEALTH POLICY
Introduction
Poverty
Equity
Development
Aid and the Health Sector
Privatization within the Health Sector
PART FIVE: CAN THE STUDY OF HEALTH POLICY IMPROVE THE PROCESS?
Developing Health Policy