Abstract
Real Politik, a term in vogue at the height of the Cold War, contemplates that in practice, governmental bodies attempt to expand their spheres of influence and control by the application of economic leverage. The federal government is clearly interested in expanding its influence into health care because of its cost. Americans spend over one trillion dollars - forty-four percent of which is paid for by the federal government - on health care each year. To control the cost of health care, governmental reformers proposed the Health Securities Act of 1993 as a frontal assault on the American health care system. But, to the reformers' chagrin, the Health Securities Act was dead on arrival, as much from the message as the messenger. Undeterred by having the front door of reform barred by a plurality of interests, the reformers shifted gears to use a side entrance to legislative reform - administrative agency law. Presently, health care reformers are using administrative law to institute many of the core concepts of the Health Securities Act.
Recommended Citation
Thomas R. McLean, Application of Administrative Law to Health Care Reform: The Real Politik of Crossing the Quality Chasm, 16 J.L. & Health 65 (2001-2002)