Beginner's Guide to Kansas Health Policy
It’s no surprise that some people feel like intimidated when it comes to understanding health policy. The word "policy" can be enough to frighten some people. Policy can be complicated and confusing.
The Beginner's Guide to Kansas Health Policy was designed to walk you through health policy in Kansas and help you understand why it’s worth your time to learn how health policy affects you and how you can help shape health policy.
Here's what you will find in the Beginner's Guide to Kansas Health Policy:
Lesson One: Policy 101
What is Policy
Who makes health policy
Why should I care about health policy
Lesson Two: Health Policy Reform in Kansas
Why do we need health policy reform
Kansas health facts
What are the goals of health reform in Kansas
Lesson Three: Gather More Information and Get Involved
Speak the language
More information about Health Policy
Health policy news
How can I be involved in health policy reform
Lesson Four: Health Policy News
Where can I learn the latest developments on health policy reform in Kansas
Where can I learn about health policy reform in other parts of the country
Lesson Five: Kansas Health Policy - Laws and Regulations in Kansas
Where can I find information about current health policy in Kansas
What can I do if have a concern or complaint that health policy isn’t being followed
Where can I go if I need help
Lesson One: Policy 101
What is policy?
Policy is a plan about how to get something done. Policy can be written or unwritten. An insurance policy is a written policy. A simple example would be how patient information is handled at your doctor’s office. Health policy can also be the federal, state and other local laws and regulations that affect health care.
These websites have detailed information about policy:
The Community Toolbox
The Center for Health Improvement
The Role of States in Health policy is multi-media tutorial that explains how states establish health policy.
Who makes health policy?
Health policy can be made by many people, elected officials, community leaders and community members. The Health Policy Authority was created to develop and maintain a coordinated health policy agenda for the state of Kansas. You can learn more about the KHPA councils, committees and board here:
KHPA Board
Health For All Kansans Steering Committee
Ideally, health policy is made by considering many points of view, studying the facts and looking at options. And that is exactly what KHPA did in 2007. Members of the Kansas Public Health Authority met with more than a thousand people in Kansas. Community members across the state shared their stories, thoughts and concerns with KHPA. This information was used to develop the health policy recommendations by the Kansas Health Policy Authority.
Summary of KHPA 2007 Listening Tours [PDF]
Why should I care about health policy?
Because it affects you! Health policy refers to the plans, decisions and actions that affect all aspects of health care.
Health policy affects:
- The type of health services available
- The quality of health care
- How much you pay for health care
Health policy regulations affect:
- The quality of service you receive whey you go to the doctor or the hospital
- The training of doctors, nurses and other health service providers
- The safety of the prescription medicine you take
- Health care for older adults, people with disabilities and people who may not be able to pay
- The services your insurance will cover
- Privacy of your health information
