Congress Role

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Health Policy and the Federal Government Tasha H. Willingham Ashford University Dr. Rhonda Hatfield May 13, 2013 Congress’ Role The U. S. Congress is responsible for the formulation of programs and policies that affect the lives of individuals in one way or another. Among the issues dealt by Congress, health care is one of its top priorities. The health programs advocated for by Congress runs through the political sphere (Shi & Singh, 2011). Congress plays a critical role in promoting policy reforms in the health care field; these policy reforms are in line with the public demand in relation to health care costs and increasing figures of uninsured Americans. However, despite the crucial health reform role, Congress is responsible…show more content…
For a bill to become law, it has to undergo several procedures that entail deliberations, amendments and voting (Wiener, 2003). To foster democracy, a bill develops from an idea of a member of the Senate or House of Representatives (Leichter, 1997). The responsible member creates a bill out of an idea that is then forwarded to its applicable committee. The committee debates on whether it is valid for passage. With the ratification complete, it is given to one of the houses for debate. Given the satisfaction of one house, the bill goes to the other house for the same debate and review. The bill is then changed to reflect the ideas of each house, if applicable. The bill is then taken to a conference, where the Senate and the House of Representatives do a final vote. Thereafter, the bill is taken to the President for approval. Based on the President’s approval, a bill automatically becomes a law (Wiener,…show more content…
A Senator is responsible for a large area of constituents (Rich & White, 1996). A member of Congress represents their local area and can better understand and present the issues affecting their constituents. A member of Congress has a shorter term to tackle the issues, but if they are effective enough in getting the issues resolved, they will have a better backing from the constituents when it comes to
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