Health Policy and the Federal Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Policy and the Federal Government - Essay Example The congress is also tasked with the implementation of programs such as the Medicare and veterans administration. It also serves to ascertain that the various institutes of health research receive enough funding and support. The Congress also ought to mull over Medicaid and consider its funding sources (McLaughlin, 2008). The Congress has instituted committees that are tasked with the implementations of health programs and policies based on their specific needs. Various commissions perform functions that include standardizing, devising programs, financial control and supervision of the implementation. The Senate and the House of Representatives form the Congress. The Senate comprises of 100 members, two members from every state while the House of Representatives comprises of 435 members (McLaughlin, 2008). The duration of their term in office differs since the term of Senators expires after six years, while the House of representative members only last for two years. Both houses have four committees each, mandated with the task of deliberating on health issues. Since these houses have dissimilar times in office, the tasks of these committees also differ. Both houses make up eight committees that possess diverse expertise on health issues. Such representatives’ core task is to draft bills based on the appeals of the people, and forward them to the congressional clerk for consideration. The pertinent committee then takes up these opinions and creates motions that deliberate on various changes, through careful consultations. The clerk then conducts a poll and the draft passes the other house for further deliberation and final approval (Holtz, 2008). The bill then sets off to the president who finally ascends it into law. Eight steps form the core part of the legislation. Identifying the problem is the initial stage of