HCM 590: Health Policy and Evaluation – Saint Leo University

Introduction to HCM 590: Health Policy and Evaluation

HCM 590 is a course offered by Saint Leo University in the field of Health Care Management. It is designed to provide students with an understanding of health policy and evaluation, which are critical components of healthcare management. The course covers various topics such as the role of government in healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, healthcare financing, and evaluation methods. The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to analyze and evaluate healthcare policies and programs.

Overview of Health Policy

Health policy is a critical component of the healthcare system. It refers to the decisions and actions that governments, organizations, and individuals take to achieve specific health goals within a society. Health policies can cover a broad range of areas, including the provision of healthcare services, the regulation of healthcare providers, the financing of healthcare, and the promotion of health and wellness.

The Role of Government in Healthcare

One of the most important areas of health policy is the role of government in healthcare. Governments play a critical role in shaping healthcare systems, as they are responsible for regulating healthcare providers, financing healthcare services, and setting healthcare policies. In the United States, the federal government plays a significant role in healthcare, as it is responsible for regulating healthcare providers, financing healthcare services, and setting healthcare policies.

The Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a landmark healthcare reform law that was signed into law by President Obama in 2010. The ACA aimed to increase access to healthcare, improve the quality of healthcare, and reduce the cost of healthcare. The law achieved these goals by expanding Medicaid eligibility, creating health insurance marketplaces, and implementing a series of regulations that aimed to improve the quality of healthcare.

Healthcare Financing

Healthcare financing is another critical component of health policy. Healthcare financing refers to the methods by which healthcare services are paid for. In the United States, healthcare financing is a complex system that involves private insurance, public insurance, and out-of-pocket payments. Private insurance is provided by employers or purchased directly by individuals, while public insurance is provided by the government. Out-of-pocket payments refer to payments made by individuals for healthcare services that are not covered by insurance.

Evaluation Methods

Evaluation methods are an essential part of health policy and evaluation. Evaluation methods refer to the methods by which healthcare policies and programs are assessed. These methods can include randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and cost-effectiveness analyses. Evaluating healthcare policies and programs is critical as it helps policymakers determine whether policies and programs are achieving their intended goals.

Conclusion

HCM 590: Health Policy and Evaluation is a critical course for students pursuing a career in healthcare management. The course covers a range of topics, including health policy, the role of government in healthcare, the Affordable Care Act, healthcare financing, and evaluation methods. These topics are essential as they provide students with an understanding of how healthcare systems work and how healthcare policies and programs are developed and evaluated. By completing this course, students will be better equipped to analyze and evaluate healthcare policies and programs, which will be critical to their success in the healthcare management field.