This course is designed to provide an in-depth analysis of the government institutions and processes that affect health policy. Health policies are a critical component of the management of healthcare services as they relate to the accessibility, cost and quality of health care; preparedness for disasters; the safety of food, water, environment and medications; the right to make individual decisions about personal health and well-being. The course will provide a framework for understanding and analyzing a range of health policy issues. The course introduces the U.S. policy-making and legal system and considers essential issues in health policy and law, including health insurance, health economics, individual rights in healthcare, and healthcare access and quality.