Course Syllabus

This course deals with the foundations of health policy analysis. Students will examine the US health care system and will consider how and why policy change occurs within this system. Students will engage with topics including federalism, public health policy, the Affordable Care Act, and the opioid epidemic. Students will engage in policy analysis exercises in which they will synthesize information from the course, engage in outside research, develop policy alternatives, and draw conclusions about steps that might be taken towards addressing major issues in health policy.

Graduate standing

Lecture/Discussion

The laptop requirements set forth by the Hudson College of Public Health as well as other IT resources are available here.

Students are expected to use Canvas throughout the semester for all coursework. Students should also have access to a word-processing software tool, like Microsoft Word.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

1. Identify and explain key concepts underpinning government intervention in promoting population-level health (public health)
2. Identify and explain the roles of state/local governments and of the federal government in public health.
3. Explain how federalism impacts the ability of the US to respond to epidemic/pandemic disease
4. Identify and explain how the health care system is organized in the US
5. Identify and explain key components of the US health insurance system
6. Identify and explain key elements of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
7. Explain how Medicaid Expansion fits into the ACA
8. Analyze the contemporary debate over how the US should respond to the opioid epidemic
9. Effectively engage in policy analyses of important issues in health policy

This class furthers the following competencies:

-Assess population needs, assets, and capacities that affect communities’ health
-Apply awareness of cultural values and practices to the design, implementation, or
critique of public health policies or programs
-Design a population-based policy, program, project, or intervention

-Discuss the policy-making process, including the roles of ethics and evidence
-Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalitions and partnerships for
influencing public health outcomes
-Advocate for political, social, or economic policies and programs that will improve health
in ****** populations
-Evaluate policies for their impact on public health and health equity

Students are responsible for all assigned readings and materials, whether discussed in class or
not (including any written or verbal updates, all lecture material, other information provided, etc.). All assignments are due on the date listed.

This course is delivered fully online and asynchronously.

 

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Distance: Content is offered 100% online or via interactive video. Distance is defined as using one or more of the following technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor, synchronously or asynchronously. 

• Bodenheimer, T. & Grumbach, K. (2023). Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach. McGraw Hill Education. 9th Edition. ISBN: 1265905029
• Bardach, E. S. & Patashnik, E. M.  (2023). A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis: The Eightfold Path to More Effective Problem Solving. Sage Publications. ISBN: 1071884131

There are four major projects in this course. 

• Policy Analysis Assignment 1: Response to Potential Pandemic 
• Policy Analysis Assignment 2: Access to Health Insurance 
• Policy Analysis Assignment 3: Opioids
• Final Policy Analysis Assignment

The course also includes regular online discussions.

 

Students will be evaluated on the following activities:

• Written Policy Analysis assignments
• Participation through discussions

Rubrics for each written assignment are provided with the assignments in Canvas

 

Course evaluations will take place approximately in the middle of the course. Students’ evaluations of the course are not included in the course grade.

 

I understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise that may prevent you from submitting your assignments on time. As such, I will allow for some flexibility in submitting late work.

If you know in advance that you will not be able to submit an assignment on time, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss possible alternatives or extensions. I will consider all requests on a case-by-case basis and will work with you to find a reasonable solution.
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

 

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Grading Scale

 

This table contains a weekly breakdown of the course topics and activities.

Week	Weekly Topic	Activities
1	Government and Health	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
2	Combatting Epidemic and Pandemic Disease	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
3	Policy Analysis	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
4	Response to Pandemic	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
5	Policy Analysis 1	Submit Policy Analysis Assignment 1
6	Health Care	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
7	Health Care System Organization	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
8	The Affordable Care Act	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
9	Medicaid Expansion Under the ACA	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
10	Policy Analysis 2	Submit Policy Analysis Assignment 2
11	Opioids	Complete readings and research Watch lecture videos Complete Discussion
12	Policy Analysis 3	Submit Policy Analysis Assignment 3
13	Final Policy Analysis	Start working on the Final Policy Analysis
14	Final Policy Analysis	Keep working on the Final Policy Analysis
15	Extra Credit
16	Final Policy Analysis	Submit Final Policy Analysis Assignment

 

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This syllabus is intended as a guide for this course. Dates, assignments, and evaluation are subject to revision by the instructor. Any such revisions will be announced in advance.

This syllabus and all related course material are protected under US Copyright Law and may not be further disseminated in any form or format without the prior explicit written consent of the faculty member. Failure to comply with this provision may subject the student to disciplinary action and/or state or federal action. 

Ethical and professional behaviors are considered a core competency in an academic program and thus are key factors in a student’s good academic standing. Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, the student commits to comply with all professional conduct regulations established by the University, respective college, and program.  
The complete Student Professional Behavior in an Academic Program policy is at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The Academic Misconduct Code describes academic misconduct as any acts intended to improperly affect the evaluation of a student’s academic performance or achievement. Academic Misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, fraud, destruction, bribery or intimidation, assisting others in any act proscribed by the Code, or attempting to engage in such acts.  
The policy and procedures related to academic misconduct are detailed in the Academic Misconduct Code found in Appendix C of the Faculty Handbook at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The Academic Appeals policy outlines the procedure a student must follow to request a hearing for appeals related to evaluation in a course, thesis or dissertation defense, or general or comprehensive exam. It also outlines the appeal process for a suspension or dismissal or under the Student Professional Behavior in an Academic Program Policy and for appeals of decisions resulting in dismissal, expulsion, or suspension from a program or of being required to repeat a semester of year. The sole basis for an academic appeal is an alleged prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation or decision. 
Policy and procedure details are in Appendix C of the Faculty Handbook at: www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf.

The University of Oklahoma is committed to the goal of achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for students with disabilities. Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) by email at adrc@ou.edu or by calling (405) 325-3852 or Voice (405) 217-3494 (VP). Information on policies and registration with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center may be found on the ADRC website at: www.ou.edu/adrc. Students requesting accommodations related to work in a course must contact the ADRC as soon as possible; accommodations are not made retroactively. 

For issues regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including Advocates-On-Call 24/7, counseling services, mutual “No Contact orders,” scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Information is available from the Institutional Equity Office at (405) 325-2215 (8AM-5PM) or the OU Advocates at (405) 615-0013 (24/7). 

Students needing modifications or adjustments to course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues should contact the college’s Assistant/Associate Dean for Student Affairs (or academic advisor) or the Accessibility and Disability Resources Center (www.ou.edu/adrc) as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  
See www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for answers to commonly asked questions. 

The student is responsible to submit required University paperwork before the deadlines to drop or withdraw from a course, shown in the Academic Calendar at http://admissions.ouhsc.edu/AcademicCalendar.aspx. Missed homework and examination grades will be entered as a grade of zero if a student fails to formally drop the course or withdraw from the University. 

In advance of examinations, students must check that their laptop or PC includes up-to-date encryption software and the necessary programs for securing the device. Students who obtain new or replacement devices at any time can request access to the Student Virtual Desktop at http://ouhsc.edu/sde. OU IT will grant student access within 24 hours of request submission. Students can log in at https://mydesk.ou.edu. All students should continue to encrypt their devices with Windows 10 and MacOS encryption tools and install anti-virus software.  
Instructions and recommendations are linked at:  

• Windows 10 Encryption
• MacOS Encryption, and
• Anti-Virus Software

If you will be absent from a course activity for any reason, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor as specified by the course syllabus. 

The University of Oklahoma faculty are committed to creating a safe learning environment for all members of our community, free from gender and sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. 

Please note that Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy designates all faculty members, including teaching assistants, as “Mandatory Reporter OR Responsible Employees.” Under the Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy all Mandatory Reporter OR Responsible Employees” must report all disclosures of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will reach out to provide resources, support, and information after receiving a report, but community members are not required to respond to such outreach. Reported information will remain private. 

If you have (or someone you know has) experienced any form of sex or gender-based discrimination or violence and wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates at 405-615-0013, HSC Student Counseling Services at 405-271-7336, or Student Health Services, call 405-271-9675. For more information regarding the University of Oklahoma’s Title IX procedures, reporting, or support measures, please visit the Institutional Equity Office, or call 405-325-3546. 

Disclosures of gender and sex-based discrimination or violence made in relation to an assignment and/or educational prompt will not result in a referral to the University of Oklahoma’s Title IX Coordinator unless requested otherwise. 

The University of Oklahoma complies with all federal and state laws related to the confidentiality of patient and research participant medical information, including the Privacy and Security Regulations issued pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Students are required to comply with these laws and related University policies and procedures, including the HIPAA Privacy and Security policies http://ouhsc.edu/hipaa/policies.asp. Students are required to complete the University’s mandatory annual HIPAA training at http://ouhsc.edu/hipaa. Students must also comply with the related policies and procedures of their departments and any facilities in which they rotate. 

Students, as members of the University community, have the responsibility to ensure the integrity and ethical standards of any research activity with which they are associated directly or of which they have sufficient knowledge to determine its appropriateness.  
Students are governed by the Policy on Ethics in Research (Faculty Handbook Section 3.25) at www.ouhsc.edu/provost/documents/FacultyHandbookOUHSC.pdf. 

In a Distance Learning Classroom (DLC), a student’s voice, physical presence, materials, and participation in classroom activities may be transmitted to distance learning sites and videotaped or digitally captured. DLC video/digital archives are used internally by the University for educational and informational purposes. 

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