Reference no: EM133049453

The health policy process is process of fine, intricate details and multiple phases. If any one detail is askew, the entire process could be cogged. In a sense, for an idea or theory to actually become an executed policy, all details must align for the notion to progress along the stages of development. (Longest, 2016).

An agenda is one of the first necessary components that allow for a theory to progress to a discussion, a formulation, a bill creation, a bill passage, and ultimately implementation. The nature of this agenda is a good illustration of how perfect the timing must be for a policy to even be considered. A problem must exist, a solution must exist, and most importantly, the political environment must allow for a solution-oriented policy to develop. Political circumstances seldom align, it seems, to even give policy formation a chance. In fact, one in four proposals do not even make it past its first committee (Kelly, 2016). If any of these elements are absent, then there is no window of opportunity for a theory to become an executed policy. A window of opportunity is the first of many proverbial stars that must align for a policy to come to fruition. (Longest, 2016). The process as a whole is fragile.

Longest infers that the basis of an agenda is the identification of a problem. From a healthcare perspective, it is the poor, uninsured, ethnic, chronically ill, and elderly who comprise the greatest burden of health problems. Thus, the demographics that needs beneficial healthcare policy the most may actually be the hardest to reach and therefore collaborate with. (Calderon & Beltran, 2004). This difficulty in connecting with the poor, uninsured, et cetera translates into difficulty of developing a policy that is aimed at their benefit, in spite of them being in the greatest need.

Another issue with the policy making process is that it is controlled by Congressional representatives who must, or should, remain loyal to their electors. The fact of the matter is not every American is poor, ethnic, ill, or elderly. In fact, Calderon, and Beltran assert that those who need healthcare reform the most are the same people with whom elected officials would have the most difficulty communicating. The people in charge of making policy are elected to represent a wide range of demographics; unfortunately, with healthcare policy, one size does not fit all.

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