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Health Policy Decision Tree: Federal, State or Local
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To decide which level(s) of government can help with your
problem:
Answering this question may involve some research. For help,
go to research tips for the decision
tree.
Did you learn about your issue from a government notice or a
letter that referenced a government program, e.g. a notice
from the HUSKY program or Medicare about your benefits, a letter
from your doctor about provider fees in Medicaid, a news report
about state plans for a health care program?
Is your issue related to one of these programs/areas? These
are general guidelines and the lines of accountability get fuzzy
at times. |
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New Congressman William Hughes of New Jersey held a town meeting to
keep in touch with people back home. He explained that he is a federal
legislator, "I don't take care of your potholes, I don't pick up your
trash." A woman asked a question about why her trash wasn't being
picked up on the day it was supposed to be and dogs were getting into it.
He explained, "You know madam, as I indicated to you, I'm a federal
legislator. I work on the federal budget and national issues. And what you
should do is contact either your mayor or your local commissioner of
public works." Without a hint of sarcasm, the woman looked her hot
new Congressman directly in the eye and said, "I didn't want to start
that high."
-- Hardball by Chris Matthews |
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| If
Your Question is about: |
|
The
program is: |
| Medicare |
|
Federal |
| Medicaid |
|
State |
| Managed
care |
|
Private
with either state or federal oversight |
| Public
health |
|
All
three, start with state |
| Veterans’
health |
|
Federal |
| Consumer
protection |
|
Start
with state |
| Uninsured |
|
Start
with state |
| Prescription
drug coverage |
|
Start
with state |
| Long
term care |
|
State |
| Hospitals |
|
State
regulation |
| Mental
health or substance abuse |
|
Probably
state |
| Insurance |
|
State
regulation |
| Home
care |
|
State
regulation |
| Environmental
health |
|
Start
with state |
| Health
care guidelines |
|
Federal
and private |
| Schools
and school-based health |
|
Local
and state |
| Health
care for persons with disabilities |
|
Start
with state |
| Minority
health issues |
|
State,
federal |
| Professional
practices in health care |
|
State
regulation |
This is only a partial list - if your area is not included in one of
these topics, go to Research tips for the
decision tree.
If your issue is federal, some resources to help are:
Called your elected officials - even if this is not about a vote,
their offices can be exceptional resources in navigating governmental
systems
Connecticut's US Senators:
To find your US representative, go to http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Also, check the US government portal for information, First Gov http://www.firstgov.gov
If your issue is local - contact your city or town executive offices
- Mayor, First Selectman, School Superintendent contact your local
legislative representative(s) - City Council, Alderman contact your
local or regional health department
The numbers are in the blue pages of your phone book and/or find your
Connecticut municipal government on-line at http://www.state.ct.us/town.htm
For state issues -- Go to back to Decision Tree
Question 4
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