Influence of Politics on Healthcare - Essay Example

"Influence of Politics on Healthcare" is a wonderful example of a paper on the health system. The United States legislative process includes several steps (Landers, 2010). First, a bill must be presented in the House or Senate. An immense amount of bills are introduced during virtually every session, and only a small percentage end up passed. Bills were read aloud in the past, but to save time they are now printed in a collective journal that is then passed on to the appropriate committees (governmental subunits formed to accomplish specific functions). There are also subcommittees that advise the larger group (including suggesting amendments) prior to their final decision. If a bill makes it past the committee stage, it is debated in the House and Senate and finally voted upon in each set if it has not been blocked by a filibuster or other method. Finally, approved bills are sent to the President who has final veto power.

            Health care reform must pass through the legislative process before it can be enacted in the system. As described above, legislation is a complicated procedure with many sections, each of which presents a threat to the eventual passing of a bill. The various stages of legislation allow for individual units to have a large effect on the overall process, as a committee may stop a reform measure without it even being considered by the full chambers of congress. This presents the serious risk of individual beliefs having a major impact on the future of health care reform and other developments, as well as the threat of conflict between various groups (Iglehart, 2009).

            Health care administrators are limited in the impact they can have on the legislative process due to the often segregated flow of information throughout government systems. People without direct governmental influence must voice their concerns through the proper channels in order to be heard. Hospital administrators, for example, could voice concerns as a group (Mello & Brennan, 2009) to higher levels in the health care system so that the message may eventually reach its target. Public appeals are also helpful in amplifying the message.

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