Regulation and Reform: The Practice and Politics of U.S. Health Policy Implementation

HPM 579 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

Passage of new legislation is an intermediate step in the policy process, not its logical conclusion. Once a law is enacted, agencies must interpret its language to craft regulations and guidance that shape how the policy is implemented. Revising existing regulations is also a powerful tool for executive officials to drive policy change without new legislation. Key stakeholders engage both formally and informally throughout the regulatory process, up to and including litigating finalized rules, to advance their preferred outcomes. HPM 579, building on HPM 247, offers a deep dive into the process and politics of regulation and implementation in U.S. health policy. The course examines recent shifts in the structure and governance of the U.S. administrative state and considers their implications for future policy. Core themes are brought to life through timely, real-world case studies.