The History and Process of Health Policymaking in the U.S.

The History and Process of Health Policymaking in the U.S
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The History and Process of Health Policymaking in the U.S
Healthcare is a vital component in the U.S. policymaking spaces. People rely on the policymakers to instill adequate changes in healthcare to ensure that each American is warranted quality services as far as healthcare is concerned. Health policy focuses on achieving wellness for a nation through addressing individual health determinants. Some of the health determinants that every policy tends to foster include the physical environment, behavior and biology, social factors, and health services. Overall, the U.S. intends to make healthcare both accessible and affordable to its people. To that effect, the nation has been on a historical path in developing and implementing health policies likely to revitalize the health and wellness trajectory of the citizens relative to various political and economic influencers. Understanding the history and process of health policymaking accords stakeholders in healthcare a definite understanding of the development that health policy has undergone historically, the gaps that need to be filled, and changes that are needed to fill the identified gaps.
Social Security Amendments of 1965
The Social Security Amendments of 1965 are among the health policies that have re-engineered healthcare in the U.S. since its establishment. The act was signed by President Lyndon Johnson as titles XIX and XVIII of the Social Security Act on July 30, 1965 (Melhado, 2006). The new act targeted healthcare coverage for persons aged 65 or above. The segmentation of the old to be included in this policy was strategic as at that age, people are prone to illnesses while their economic viability becomes limited. Also known as the Medicare law, the Social Security Amendments of 1965 consisted of two parts. The first part of the act or part A targeted all the individuals receiving the social security benefits in covered hospitalization. Through the part A policy, a recipient would pay a deductible amount on the first day of hospitalization. Medicare would then pay the next 60 days of inpatient services. At the relapse of the 60 days, Medicare would then pay a portion of the inpatient fee charges for a period of up to 150 days (Gordon, 2022). Medicare did not cover any costs at the relapse of 150 days. However, the policy suggested that Medicare would pay for the first 20 days in a skilled nursing facility. Upon the end of the 20 days in a nursing facility, Medicare would extend its inputs as part of the fees until 100 days of hospitalization. Medicare did not fund long-term services in nursing facilities. Part A of the act was structured that it would be funded by a vibrant working-class alongside their employers.
Part B of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 extended the covered services to outpatient inputs. After the beneficiaries met the small annual deductible of part A, they would be eligible for extensive services that included laboratory tests, X-rays, and doctor visits. Approximately a quarter of the part B funds stemmed from the beneficiary premiums (Melhado, 2006). All the beneficiaries were susceptible to equal premiums under both titles. The rest of the...