Assignment Content

1. 
   Research and
   select an emerging health care issue. This can include but is not limited to the following:

   • Opioid crisis
   • Shortages of healthcare professionals
   • Medicare or Social Security funding shortfalls
   • Cost of healthcare
   • A specific disparity in a population group
   • Growing rates of chronic health conditions
   • Cybersecurity issues
   • Healthcare resources for our aging population
   • Suicide rates in children and teens

   Using the information you’ve learned in the course, discuss how you would design a policy for the health care issue you selected. Remember to take into consideration the various aspects of the policy development cycle and level of implementation (federal, state, or local).
   
   Respond: use 100-200 words to respond to each of the following prompts:

   1. Why is this issue important?
   2. List one possible policy action (or possible solution) that could help address this issue. Make sure your solution is specific. “Take steps to lower healthcare cost” is not specific. “Mandate pricing transparency for all hospitals” is specific.
   3. Include two possible advantages and two possible disadvantages of the policy action.
   4. What level of government (federal or state, or possibly local) would primarily be responsible for implementation? Which agency or agencies would likely help implement?
   5. How would you propose the policy be evaluated?
   6. What possible courses of action (revisions) would likely be needed if the evaluation of the policy suggests that the proposed policy is not fulfilling its intended purpose?

   Cite at least 2 reputable references. Reputable references include trade or industry publications, government or agency websites, scholarly works, a textbook, or other sources of similar quality.
   
   Format your responses and references according to APA guidelines.