SUP-575: Political Analysis and Strategy for U.S. Health Policy

Semester: Spring

Credit: 1.0

Syllabus: Click here for syllabus

Faculty: Robert Blendon

Schedule

Day Time Location
First Day 1/28
Meet Day M/W 4:10 PM - 6:00 PM L140
Review

Description

This course is designed to meet the following objectives: (1) to analyze the politics surrounding major health policy developments in the United States; (2) to examine and to develop possible strategies for influencing political debates and health policy outcomes; and (3) to emphasize the ways political analysis and strategy can improve policy outcomes. Major topics to be covered include analyzing the role of interest groups, media, public opinion, legislative lobbying, elections, coalition building, policy legacies, institutions, and the politics of information as it affects health policy. Case studies focus on the enactment of the Medical Prescription Drug Bill, The Massachusetts Universal bill, as well as passionate issues such as abortion. Major movements toward comprehensive national health insurance, including the Clinton health plan, will also be covered. Leaders in political strategy from both the health and political fields will be guest lecturers.

Also offered by the School of Public Health as HPM 247cd.