About the Institute

The Washington Health Policy Institute

If you want a true insiders’ view of what health care policy is about, how it is made, and who makes it, you should not miss the Washington Health Policy Institute (WHPI).

At a crucial time in our nation’s history, WHPI explores all facets of the health policy-making process. It provides attendees with the knowledge and network needed to make a difference in federal and state policy debates.

The institute focuses on the policy-making process through a careful examination of programs and policy issues at both the state and federal level. Meet and hear speakers from the delivery and financial corners of the policy world, including insurance executives, physicians, nurses and more. We feature officials not only from federal and state health agencies, but also from Congress and state legislatures. In addition, journalists will explain health policy communications strategies that work.

Institute Audience

WHPI is intended for health care professionals, health organization and association staff, health and policy scholars and educators, policy analysts, congressional staff, interest group members, and others involved in health policy activities.

Institute Topics*

Health Policy Making: Structure and Process

• The Policy-Making Process: An Overview
• Problems and Agendas: Why Only Some Problems Get Our Attention
• The Health Care Infrastructure: Is It Up to the Task of Governing?
• Policy Formulation, or How a Bill Really Becomes a Law
• Policy Implementation, or the Nuts and Bolts of Health Policy Making

Health Policy Making: The Role of Government

• Who Does What
• The Executive Branch
• Federal Departments and Agencies
• The Legislative Branch
• Competing Priorities in the Federal Budget
• Orientation to Capitol Hill: Who’s Who in Congressional Offices—and What Can They Do for You?
• Communication Skills for Political Success

Health Policy Making: Influencing Government

• The Influence of Special Interest Groups and Political Action Committees in Health Care
• The Role and Influence of Lobbyists
  
• The Influence of Money and the Media
• The Influence of Coalitions
• The Influence of Professional Associations
• Ethics and Health Policy Making
• The Role and Influence of Policy Think Tanks
• Federal Policy Making in Action: Advocacy on Capitol Hill
• Capitol Hill Day: Appointments with members and congressional staff; attend congressional meetings

*Subject to change based on speaker availability.Note: Those who wish to earn graduate credits must have a baccalaureate degree and meet course requirements. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available to all others.

Hours for the Institute:

• Sunday  (for those taking courses for credit)
• Monday thru Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Friday: 9:00 am to noon

 

For more information, contact:

Office of Academic Outreach
College of Health and Human Services
Outreach@gmu.edu