Policy Analysis Paper
This assignment is an analysis of local, state, or federal health policy.
- Select a state health policy reform innovation
- Discuss the rationale for the policy how it was adopted (e.g., federal waivers, passage by state legislature), the funding structure, and (to the extent statistical data are available) its impact. ethical outcome based on evidence.
- Examples of state innovations include Maryland’s hospital rate setting, Vermont’s single payer system, and Massachusetts’ health reforms
Maryland operates a unique all-payer rate-setting system for hospital services, overseen by the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). Established in the 1970s, it sets uniform rates that all payers—including private insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid—must pay for hospital services. The innovation has uniform Payment Rates, where hospitals charge the same rates regardless of payer. It also has Global Budget Revenue (GBR) Model (since 2014). Hospitals in the state operate under a fixed annual revenue cap to incentivize efficiency and reduce unnecessary admissions. The other feature is Waiver from CMS. Maryland has a special waiver from Medicare rules to maintain this model
Policy Analysis Paper
Vermont passed legislation (Act 48) was created in 2011 to create a single-payer health care system called Green Mountain Care. It aims to cover all residents with publicly financed health insurance. The key features include it is intended to replace private insurance with a state-managed plan. It is also a centralized funding through taxes. It aimed to simplify administration and improve equity.
Submission Requirements:
- The paper is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation and misspelling.
- The paper is to be formatted per current APA style, 5 pages in length, excluding the title, abstract and references page.
- Incorporate a minimum of 5 current (published within last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work.
- Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style.