Policymaking Process with Respect to the Womens Health Policy Formation - Term Paper Example

Policymaking Process with Respect to the Women’s Health Policy Formation Introduction Women’s Health Policy central in the American healthcare system because it has great benefits to the women. It is important that policy makers consider all the major stages involved in its making process, for it to be successful. Notably, policy making process involves formulation stage, legislative stage, implementation stage, analysis stage, and revision stages. Therefore, this paper seeks to shed light on the last three stages of policy making process with respect to the Women’s Health Policy formation. Evaluation stage This stage entails the assessment of the overall adopted policy implementation, in terms of performance, output and activities, and epidemiological methods. The main aim of this stage is to find out whether the adopted policy has been effective in the achievement of its set goals. Here, the main parameters used in assessing the effectiveness of the policy include relevance, efficiency, adequacy, appropriateness, equity, impact and responsiveness. In the case of the formation of women’s Health Policy is evaluation stage involves the assessment of the policy’s success in attaining its set objectives. The phase is aimed at establishing the performance by use of the aforementioned parameters (Gerston, 2010, pp. 3-20). In this stage, the desired results are measured and utilized efficiently in certain ways. The measurement of the outcomes is the responsibility of the project managers. For instance, this stage entails the measurement of the Women’s Health Policy implementation results, and its successful use. This evaluation is done by the appropriate managers of the policy. Here, Gerston (2010, pp. 3-20), says that suitable evaluation methods must be created to cover the policy process, and both long-term and short-term effects of the whole project, including its results. Besides, the policy can be taken forward by engaging confidential record of the failures and successes of the overall policy process that can function as learning material for present and the future project managers. This is required to uphold institutional memory. Therefore, this stage is imperative in the formation of Women’s Health Policy because it will enable the assessment of its performance after executed. Analysis stage This is one of the key stages necessary in policy making process. Policy analysis concerns such issues as risk assessments, peer review, cost-benefit analysis, and role of Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Moreover, this policy involves the process of determining whether the adopted policy managed to achieve all the set goals. This can be done in two ways that include descriptive and prescriptive methods. To start with, analytical descriptive seeks to explain the policy and its development. On the other hand, prescriptive analysis of a policy involves proposals and formulation of a given policy, for instance, to enhance women’s health (Gerston, 2010, pp. 3-20). In the case of the Women’s Health Policy, analysis is concerned with the risks involved in the implementation of the policy in light of the public and other government firms. Besides, the stage entails the analysis of the policy’s cost and benefits in the implementation of the policy. Impliedly, the policy makers and managers conduct a survey on the effectiveness of the policy implementation. Here, the policy managers engage in the analysis of the survey results to determine the problems that are associated with the implementation of the policy (Anderson, 2011, pp. 1-10). Moreover, Gerston (2010, pp. 3-20) says that these policy analysts illuminate on the possible benefits accrued in the implementation of the policy. For instance, it involves the determination of whether the money used by the government in executing the policy, in terms of its advantages, and losses. Cost benefit analysis is done by basing on the hard-to-achieve information that is concerned with distinct and contradictory interpretations. With reference to the Women’s Health Policy, its analysis stage seeks to evaluate and establish the costs and benefits of its implementation in terms of the stakeholders like American women in need of healthcare. Here, the analysts closely critique whether the policy has met the all the objectives set, and whether its benefits reflect the amount of money allocated by the government for its implementation. Therefore, policy makers and people involved in making Women’s Health Policy should careful carry out an extensive analysis of the costs, benefits and risks associated with its execution (Morone, Litman, Robins, 2008, pp. 1-24). Revision stage This is one of the critical stages in process of making a policy. It is a phase in which policy makers and managers engage in review of the policy’s effectiveness in terms of performance and realization of set goals and objectives. Revision stage is of essence when policy makers want to make adjust to changes in the country. It is critical in ensuring that a policy is efficient in terms of user needs, resources issues, and credibility maintenance (Gerston, 2010, pp. 3-20). Explicitly, not all policies formulated and implemented by the US government are successful. Some adopted and implemented policies have many risks and costs involved in the execution process. When this happens, policy makers are compelled to revise the policy so as to improve its effectiveness. The revision phase is influential in eliminating possible problems and risks that the policy might have caused in the country. Moreover, revision allows redesigning of the policy to address relevant needs of the community, and attain its objectives (Anderson, 2011, pp. 1-10). In the case of Women’s Health Policy, revision will be necessary after the policy makers and analysts realize that the policy has not performed as expected (Morone, Litman, Robins, 2008, pp. 1-24). Moreover, the policy can be reviewed if it has negative impacts on the stakeholders and some government organization. After consultation process, revisions or amendments can be needed. In case a further amendment is recommended, an amended is made and new consultations with main stakeholders are started by policy owners. This cycle is then repeated till no more revisions or amendments are suggested by major stakeholders. In addition, Anderson (2011, pp. 1-10) says that review of the policy is important in order to establishing whether the women’s health policy is consistent with strategic directions, best practice, and changes in legislation and government policy. It is also valuable in determining whether the policy satisfies the stakeholder’s needs. Additionally, this stage is important in that it addresses possible constraints on the execution of the policy, in both higher and lower organizational levels. The stage also ensures that the policy’s level of compliance with the needs of the stakeholders. Describe the purpose and methodologies process for evaluating and revising a public policy Evaluation and revision of policies is fundamental in ensuring that a public policy is effective. This will be achieved if correct methods are employed in the evaluation and revision processes. To begin with, Gerston (2010, pp. 3-20) evaluation of the public policy is crucial in that it enables policy owners and makers ensure that assessment of the overall adopted policy implementation, in terms of performance and output activities. Evaluation is indispensable in that it enables policy makers to establish whether the adopted policy has been successful in the realization of its set goals. The evaluation stage in the process is valuable in assessing the usefulness of the policy in light its relevance, efficiency, adequacy, appropriateness, equity, impact and responsiveness. In terms of revision, Gerston (2010, pp. 3-20) asserts that a policy is revisited or reviewed in order to make necessary changes in the policy. Change is inevitable in every society, and therefore, policy ought to be reviewed so as to adjust to these changes. Notably, it is commonly easier to revise a public policy to adjust to slight changes than big changes. Additionally, policy review is of uttermost significance when policy makers realize that the public policy is not functioning as expected. This implies that a public policy might not be instrumental in meeting the need of its stakeholders, or achievement the desired objectives. Probably, a given public policy can have negative effects on the stakeholders of government organizations (Barr, 2011, pp. 1-10). Therefore, it is critical that revision is conducted so as to enhance its performance; meeting stakeholders’ needs and attaining set objectives. In terms of the Women’s Health Policy, revision will be necessary in order to ensure that the policy adjusts to changes; functions appropriately; and achieves its goals and objectives (Morone, Litman, Robins, 2008, pp. 1-24). Some of the methodologies applied in the evaluation and revision of a public policy include qualitative and quantitative research methods. In qualitative evaluation and revision methods, policy makers conduct surveys, statistical analysis, observation, and case studies in order to establish the efficiency of the public policy at hand. For instance, a group of researchers might be assigned the task of collecting data form respondents who could healthcare providers and patients, concerning the effectiveness of the Women’s Health Policy (Barr, 2011, pp. 1-10). Here, information can be acquired through in-depth interviews and questionnaires. On the other hand, policy evaluators can employ quantitative methods like telephone surveys, mail surveys, face-to-face surveys, and experimental designs. Conclusion Women’s Health Policy is one of the fundamental policies in the United States. Its implementation has certain influences on the stakeholders’ daily lives; hence, it is crucial that appropriate stages are taken in its formation. These include formulation, legislative, implementation, evaluation, analysis, and revision stages. Evaluation stage aims at assessing its effectiveness, while analysis stage is done to establish risks, costs and benefits of the policy. Revision stage is necessary in adjusting the policy to changes, and ensuring that it meets desired objectives and stakeholders’ needs. Evaluation and revision of the policy is possible through application of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. References Anderson, J. (2011). Public Policymaking. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Pp.1- 10. Barr, D. (2011). Introduction to U.S. health policy: the organization, financing, and delivery of health care in America. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. Pp.1-30. Gerston, L. (2010). Public Policy Making. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe. Pp, 3-20 Morone, J. A., Litman, T.J., Robins, L.S. (2008). Health Politics and Policy. (4thed.). Delmar Cengage Learning. Pp. 1-24 Appendices Read More