Government 103: What Happened to the Great Idea?

James T Griffith

doi:10.29074/ascls.19.1.54

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James T Griffith, PhD CLS(NCA)⇑
1. is Chancellor Professor and Chairperson; Department of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Address for correspondence: James T Griffith PhD CLS(NCA), Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth,285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth Massachusetts 02747-2300. (508) 999-8328, (508) 999-8418 (fax). JGriffith{at}UMassD.edu

Extract

The great idea is the great foundation of the system of self-governing brought to this portion of the North American continent in 1789.

Let us say you had a great idea about how things in healthcare could work better. Then you did all the right things. You formed it into a cohesive thought and purpose. You looked up pertinent existing statutes at the appropriate level; municipal, state or federal. You determined how your idea could fit in and you took a shot at writing draft language. You found a sympathetic legislator at the appropriate level and secured their support. You had the legislation filed and assisted it through the legislative process. You made compromises to appease objectors and applauded your success when the bill became law.

At this point you realize that several challenging steps remain. Regulations implementing the new statute need to be written.

The new law has to fit itself into the existing pantheon of other great ideas. Other laws in the same area will follow. The landscape upon which your idea was founded will change. Why are you getting that cold, clammy feeling? Here is a look at how some previous legislation fared.

PL 100-175 (HR 1451, SIGNED November 29, 1987) OLDER AMERICANS ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1987 This legislation reauthorized the Older Americans Act of 1965 through 1991. While the Older Americans Act has been reauthorized several times since, this established (Title III) state and area agencies on aging and a new authority for in-home services for…

ABBREVIATIONS: HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; HR = House of Representatives; PL = public law; WEDI = Workgroup for Electronic Data Exchange