The course provides an overview of the finances and infrastructure on which the U.S. health care system is based as well as a basic overview of the health policy process. Students will learn about private and public health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP, as well as discuss the growing problem of uninsured populations. In addition, students will explore the policy process behind our current health system, focusing on the role of the legislative, executive, and judicial systems, as well as special interest groups and the role of public opinion in health policy. Public Health majors, minors or students studying in the Public Health concentration must complete this course with a C or better.

Temple in Spain Course Section: Explore issues of healthcare cost, quality, and access - the iron triangle? of healthcare - and how these factors impact health policy and the performance of the U.S. healthcare system. The course also considers the dynamics of health policy formulation within political and legislative processes, from the passage of Medicare and Medicaid to the present day. Through firsthand exploration of Spain's healthcare system, you will engage in a comparative examination and analysis of the differences between the U.S. and the Spanish health systems, gaining an understanding of how health policy decisions shape healthcare systems, health outcomes, and the patient experience.