Define the problem

 1-2 page should include:

• A one-sentence statement of the proposed health policy.
• APA format with at least one reference
• Include argument as to why the topic is a public health or health policy problem
• Discuss who is affected by this issue and how
• Include research and discussion any past history, causes, and/or factors associated with the health issue

BARDACH’S HEALTH POLICY
FRAMEWORK PROJECT

SNHP 220
Fall 2022

BARDACH’S FRAMEWORK

Step 1 • Define the problem

Step 2 • Assemble some evidence

Step 3 • Construct the alternative

Step 4 • Select the criteria

Step 6 • Confront the trade-offs

Step 7 • Decide

Step 8 • Tell your story

DEFINE THE PROBLEM

TOPICS TO CONSIDER…

Topic Policy problem example

Health insurance enrollment Too many people eligible for federal health care programs
are not enrolled.
Too many people have gaps in health insurance coverage
throughout the year when they move from different
programs or insurance sources.

Data privacy Identifiable data is necessary for public health interventions,
but greater use of identifiable data poses privacy risks.

Prescription drugs Specialty medications are too expensive and many people
cannot afford them.

Public health Not enough people access vaccines that are clinically
recommended.

Racial justice Black women are far likelier to die in child birth than White
women.

RESOURCES TO GET IDEAS

• Kaiser Family Foundation, https://www.kff.org

• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, https://www.cbpp.org

• Commonwealth Fund, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/

• American Public Health Association, https://www.apha.org/

• Association for State and Territorial Health Officials, https://www.astho.org/

• Health Leads, https://healthleadsusa.org/

Home Page

https://www.cbpp.org/

https://www.commonwealthfund.org/

https://www.apha.org/

https://www.astho.org/

Home

ASSIGNMENT 1

• 1-2 page paper due September 15th

• Paper should include:

• A one-two sentence statement of the proposed health policy. problem

• APA format with at least one reference

• Include argument as to why the topic is a public health or health policy problem

• Discuss who is affected by this issue and how

• Include research and discussion any past history, causes, and/or factors associated
with the health issue

ASSEMBLE SOME EVIDENCE

DOS AND DON’TS OF EVIDENCE
GATHERING

Acceptable evidence Unacceptable evidence

Federal or state government reports Blog or social media posts

Federal or state legislation (proposed or
enacted)

Op-ed/editorials

Peer review published journal articles

Policy think tank published reports

Consumer/patient survey reports

News articles

Think about the source: objective sources will be more compelling

ASSIGNMENT 2

• 1-2 page literature review due Oct. 5th

• Literature review should include:

• Citations using APA formatting/style

• A brief 1-2 sentence description of each source

• Aim for at least 10 sources (no more than 16)

CONSTRUCT THE ALTERNATIVE

CONSIDERATIONS

• Identify different policy options to solve the policy problem you identified

• Be creative! Think of outside of the box ideas, this is your brainstorm

• What would you want to do if resources were unlimited?

• Be as detailed as possible

ASSIGNMENT 3

• 1-2 page paper due October 20th

• Paper should include:

• 3-5 different policy options to address or eliminate the policy problem you identified
(at least one option should be a “do-nothing” option)

• Please describe the policy option and how it would address the policy problem
(please be as specific as possible)

SELECT THE CRITERIA

CONSIDERATIONS

Examples of Criteria

Efficiency Does the policy maximize net benefits to
society/community?

Equity Does the policy lessen disparities in certain
health outcomes? Does it empower
disenfranchised communities?

Political acceptability Will the policy garner support among
legislators who care about reelection?

Sustainability Will the policy solution be in place for a long
time?

Cost Will the policy be affordable?

ASSIGNMENT 4

• 1-2 page paper selecting the criteria due Nov. 3rd

• Paper should include:

• Criteria that will be used to measure the outcomes and impacts of each alternative
and should be measurable and quantifiable.

• Students should include 3-5 criteria and must describe each criterion and why it is
important

CONFRONT THE TRADE-OFFS

CONSIDERATIONS

• Focus on outcomes

• For instance, don’t just compare differences across different policy options, compare
differential impact of policy options on the outcome you are hoping to influence

Weigh the overall
cost of your policy
(and remember
that what you
choose to spend
money on is finite;
resources are never
unlimited)

What is the benefit
to society or
specific
communities? Is it
worth the cost?

C
os

t
Benefit to society

Example of a Trade-off: Cost vs. Benefit

ASSIGNMENT 5

• 1-2 page paper confronting the trade-offs due Nov. 27th

• Paper should include:

• Strengths and weaknesses of each proposed health policy.

• At least 2!

TELL YOUR STORY

PART 1: EDITED VERSION OF BARDACH
ASSIGNMENTS 1-5

• Edit all of the Bardach assignments that you’ve handed in and submit in one
document

• You don’t need to go in same order as you handed in the assignments (e.g., you can
put the “Assemble the Evidence” assignment at end as works cited). But you do
need to make sure I can identify each individual assignment, for instance, buy using
headers.

• I will be grading based on the extent to which you made suggested edits, so please
go back over my feedback one each assignment.

• Proofread! I will be taking off points for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

• Make sure you have identified your policy solution choice.

PART 2: PRESENTATION SLIDES

• The powerpoint slides should be a companion to the compilation paper with
all of your Bardach assignments. Be creative with this, but make sure to include
the following elements:

• What policy problem you are focusing on and why it’s important/who it impacts

• What some of the policy options are that you considered in addressing the policy
problem

• Which policy option you ultimately picked and why

• Please submit 10-15 slides (not including title slide and reference slides)

• You do NOT need to submit any notes to go with the slides

DEADLINE

• December 11, 2022 at 11:59pm (I am unable to accept ANY late
submissions)

• Final review session will be Nov. 29 in AC 303 during regular class time.

• Good luck!

EMAIL

• KilleleaA@trinitydc.edu