Why Health Policy?

It is important to understand that legislators appreciate our knowledge and expertise so that they can better understand public health care needs. We are the experts and we are constituents.

Health policy is “a set course of action to obtain a desired health outcome, either for an individual, family, group, community, or society” (Stanhope, & Lancaster, 2010, p. 110). Health care policy is important because it shapes how health care is provided in the United States, and it is formulated and shaped through the legislative process.

Catalysts of health policy are cost, quality and access to health care. Expertise and health care knowledge is based on practice, training, and experience. It is important to understand that legislators appreciate our knowledge and expertise so that they can better understand public health care needs. We are the experts and we are constituents.