Why does the United States stand out as the only industrialized nation that lacks national health insurance? Should the government regulate Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)? Or, is government regulation an unwanted interference in the practice of medicine? Should these issues be left to experts in medicine and health policy to resolve or should they be influenced by the diverse interests and values of citizens?

Government and Medicine explores these critical questions as part of a lively introduction to American government. We will discuss the Constitution, elections, Congress, and the Presidency. Reading materials are drawn from democratic theory, analysis of political behavior and institutions, and debates over medicine and health care policy.

You should feel free to give me a call and stop by. I welcome visits.

The course combines lectures with a variety of formats for student participation. Most lectures are interspersed with group problem solving and other opportunities for class discussion.

The course will also simulate a congressional hearing on Medicare legislation. The simulation will put you in the position of a policy maker either as a member of Congress or a congressional witness representing an interest group. A separate syllabus will be distributed on the simulation.

Here are the course's requirements and the number of points associated with each:

2 exams and 2 quizzes: (60 points)
2 papers: (25 points)
participation: (15 points)

Two exams will be given in class (25 points each); they are scheduled for October 15 and December 3. In addition, 2 quizzes (5 points each) will be based on the simulation materials and will be given on October 1 and October 20. The two papers will be 3-5 pages and will be based on the simulations; they are due on November 10 and December 17. (Assignments will be passed out in class. All exams and quizzes are held during the regularly scheduled class time.)

There will be no incomplete grades or makeup examinations or quizzes given except for standard University policy reasons (for example, illness). You should carefully mark the dates of the exams, quizzes, and papers on your personal calendar.

Class participation is a critical part of the course. Your participation in the class activities will constitute 15% of your grade and will be based on your attendance, preparation for class, and quality of your participation. To help me evaluate your participation, you need to compile an itemized and (whenever possible) documented "activity log." Much of your activity log will focus on the simulation, but you should keep careful track of your activities during the lectures as well. Your activity log should be assembled using a two pocket folder: the left pocket should contain a diary with entries corresponding to the specific dates of your activities either in class (e.g. presentation) or simulations (e.g. speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, negotiations with interest groups, and questions of congressional witnesses); the right pocket should contain written evidence of your activities (e.g. email exchanges with other students, written questions posed during the simulations a written copy of speech delivered in Congressional simulation, etc). Think of yourself as a lawyer who is providing documentation to a client. (Failure to track your activities in an itemized and documented manner will be reflected in your participation grade).

One book is required for the course: Carol Weissert and William Weissert, Governing Health Care: The Politics of Health Policy (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996). The textbook is supplemented by assigned readings, which are available as a packet in Copies on Campus. All readings are available the basement of Wilson Library in the Reserve Reading section. (Please call or email me immediately about problems obtaining the readings.)

This outline of the course is subject to change during the semester; you are responsible for modifications that are announced in class.