Regulation and Reform: The Practice and Politics of U.S. Health Policy Implementation

Harvard HSPH

Passage of new legislation is an intermediate step in the policy process, not its logical conclusion. Once a law is enacted, agencies must interpret its language to craft regulations and guidance that shape how the policy is implemented. Revising existing regulations is also a powerful tool for executive officials to drive policy change without new legislation. Key stakeholders engage both formally and informally throughout the regulatory process, up to and including litigating finalized…