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HA415: Healthcare Policy and Economics

Unit 8

Why Do Policy Analysis?

• Need for thoughtful, impartial assessment

• Avoid “shooting from the hip”

• Think seriously about problems and solutions

2

What is Policy Analysis?

• Policy recommendations • Arguments justifying the recommended • Defines the

– problem and the goals– examines the arguments– analyzes implementation

Policy Analysis Tone and Structure

• Tone is neutral and non-judgmental throughout the analysis

• 5 steps structure– Problem Statement– Background– Landscape– Options Analysis– Recommendation

Defining the problem

• Problem• Catalyst for action• Demands immediate attention• Problem

– Security– Economic– Regulation

• Interests at stake

Problem Statement

• The problem statement defines the problem being addressed in the analysis– How a problem is framed is one of the most

important steps in a policy analysis• 1-2 sentences, usually in the form of a question• May be broad or narrow• May be neutral or value-laden• Must lead to the possibility of several options• Do not include recommendation in problem

statement

Background

• The background informs the reader why a problem has been chosen for analysis.

• Provides much of the facts and information necessary to understand the problem being addressed.

• May have to tailor some background information based on the knowledge base of the client– But much of the information provided in the

background is necessary regardless of client

Landscape

• The landscape provides the overall context of the analysis by identifying key stakeholders interested in the problem and the issues that must be considered when analyzing the problem

• Which stakeholders must be included depends on the issue at hand and the phrasing of the problem statement

Landscape

• Some examples of the aspects of a problem that a policy analyst may consider include:– Political factors– Social factors– Economic factors– Legal factors– Practical factors

Options Analysis

• The policy analysis should provide 3-5 options for a client to consider

• All options must– Be within the power of the client to do– Be consistent with the client’s values– Address the issue identified in the problem statement

• Identify criteria that will be used to evaluate the option

• Identify pros and cons for each option– There is no perfect option

• May use a side-by-side table to assist in analyzing the options– Descriptive or analytical tables may be appropriate

Recommendation

• Choose one of the options as the recommended course of action for the client– Status quo/inaction may be an option

• Discuss why this option is better than the others despite the cons associated with the option

• Identify any action that may be taken to ameliorate the cons associated with the option

• In almost all cases do not choose a hybrid option that mixes two or more of your options

Implementation

• establishing timelines,• setting priorities in terms of what

standards to achieve and on what timeline,

• delegating responsibilities, and• monitoring progress.

Evaluating the Policy

• Did the policy achieve its goals?• Did the policy solve the original

problem?• What were consequences of the policy?• Did the policy achieve its goals at a

reasonable cost?• Overall, was the policy a “success” or a

“failure”?

Tips for a well-written policy analysis

• Make it Readable• Be accurate• Be Concise

Format for Policy Brief I. Executive Summary—one or two paragraphsII. What is the problem? For whom, how & why is this problem? May be stated in the

form of a question. III. Describe the extent of the problem. What quantitative trends help explain the

problem? What do they suggest for the future? IV. What makes this a public policy issue? Critique the current approach to the problem. V. How did the issue emerge historically? Describe the background of the issue;

provide a chronology of key events, including government actions. VI. Who are the key stakeholders? What are their positions? What resources do they

have? What did they do to get government attention to the issue? What groups have been traditionally left out of the debate? Are there race/class/gender implications?

VII. What are the main policy options? Provide at least three (one is usually the status quo ante). Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Cover all sides of an argument.

VIII. Provide a recommended option and explain your rationale for the choice. This may include practical steps to take; often close the paper with a reminder why action is needed.

IX. Citations & Bibliography. Books, articles, websites, personal interviews

Need help

• Debi Sanks, RN, MBA• Adjunct Professor• Email – dsanks@kaplan.edu• AIM – SanksDeb• Skype – dsanks• Office hours – email and ask to meet

• Don’t forget about your fellow students – talk among yourselves