Public Health Policy at Sea 2010

7-Night Caribbean Cruise from Tampa, FL
Program Purpose and Objectives

To discuss the structure of the major public policy programs in US health care, the challenges and opportunities of the health care reform agenda and the "basics" of health care advocacy. The course is intended as a general overview of major public health care programs and policy similar to what a congressional health staff person may receive. Reference lists and objective sources of policy information will be used throughout. The participants will emerge with a deeper understanding of health policy, opportunities for health care reform, the jurisdiction of relevant congressional and administrative offices, a basic "how-to" of health care advocacy and an extensive bibliography of objective sources of policy research.


Preliminary topics for discussion

1. Overview of Public Health Care Programs: Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP and VA systems
2. Medicare Payment Policies: Outpatient, Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facilities
3. Medicaid and SCHIP: growing numbers and implication for practice in trying economic times
4. Health Care Reform Efforts: Medical Home, Health Information Technology, Universal Converge, Comparative Effectiveness, Quality measurement and reporting
5. Advocacy 101: engaging in the process