Legislation on Cost Containment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legislation on Cost Containment - Essay Example This aspect is particularly relevant to state-level policymaking. No universal cost containment measure is adopted in the United States and, instead, states were free to pursue their own models, tailored according to their specific needs, targets and circumstance (e.g. political and economic). This is not really surprising because: 1) states have been active players in health reform; and, 2) the health reform law is full of state obligations as well as opportunities for state innovation (Teitelbaum, and Wilensky, 2012, p.180). Back in 2003, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Standing Committee released a white paper outlining possible cost saving ideas that state legislators could enact. These were composed of many possible ideas classified into nine categories, which include: direct cost containment; prescription drug ideas; cost shifting ideas; workforce expansion; health insurance reform; subsidy and uninsured care; medical error and medical malpractice; preventive and public health ideas; and, Medicaid ideas. The ideas were numerous and many states, thereafter, adopted an idea, a part of some or a combination of ideas for their own cost containment initiatives. One of the most important of these ideas, in my opinion, is that framework that seeks to cut cost by addressing medical errors and medical malpractice. In the NCSL (2003) compilation, initiatives within this cost containment classification include the legislation of laws that will ensure the regulation of the payment for damages (VII-1); the elimination of frivolous lawsuits (VII-2); as well as the establishment of mechanisms to ensure quality and compliance to health and safety standards (VII-4, VII-5, V-II-6). The NCSL has provided a lean list of ideas in this particular area. But I think that this is one of the most viable models that could easily pass the process of legislation. In policymaking, public opinion is

Best Approach to a Nuclear Iran Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Best Approach to a Nuclear Iran - Essay Example Dore Gold writes, â€Å"†¦outwardly Iran wanted the peaceful use of nuclear energy, but its hidden intention, according to Ramezanzadeh, was to engage in other activities.†(15)The international community is not willing to believe Iran and remains skeptical about its nuclear plan. Bush administration takes a tough stance and warns that production of nuclear weapons is on the agenda of Iran and that concern is shared by Obama administration. Gold argues about the administration’s initial attitude and writes, â€Å"Obama’s neutrality on the developments in Iran reached its height when he declared: â€Å"It’s important to understand that although there is some ferment taking place in Iran, that the difference between Ahmadinejad and Moussavi in terms of their actual policies may not be as great as advertised.†(5) But the position is not the same now though Iran consistently denies allegations that it owns intention to develop a bomb. Gold further tenders details that â€Å"†¦.intelligence data indicating that Iran was also working on a nuclear warhead that could be fitted on its ballistic missiles.†(35) How do the authors present these issues? The authors present the issues in a logical manner tendering facts in support of their arguments. Both of them share concern about America’s political and economic interests. They differ in details as for approach but both agree that Iran’s nuclear weapons program ambitions must be contained without further delay. What are their assumptions? Christopher Hemmer argues that patient diplomacy is the best approach to contain Iran’s nuclear program. According to him, Iran with nuclear weapons will pose challenges for the United States, but it is prudent to meet them through a policy of deterrence actively pursued, through containment and engagement and with active deliberations with America’s allies in the region. It is better to talk to Iran across t he table on a perennial basis, than challenge it through arms. Norman Podhooretz answers this question in a simple and straightforward style. He is not willing to trust Iran under any circumstances. According to him a nuclear-armed Iran is dangerous for all concerned countries and disastrous for America. Use of arms to checkmate Iran is less risky than allowing it to go scot-free with its weapon-development program. He advocates direct military intervention and destruction of Iran’s nuclear capabilities. What are their arguments? According to Hemmer, in pursuance the path of peaceful negotiations, America needs to look out for options like change of regime, preventive military strike, economic sanction and make appropriate evaluations about cost of action vs. costs of inaction. In any case, America cannot remain a silent spectator about the nuclear ambitions of Iran and need to take actions on an ongoing basis. Christopher Hemmer argues, â€Å"The United States has three str ategic interests in the Persian Gulf: maintaining the flow of oil onto world markets, preventing any hostile state from dominating the region, and minimising any terrorist threat.†(Parameters†¦) Norman Podhooretz writes, â€Å"I argued that deterrence could not be relied upon with a regime rules by Islamafacist revolutionaries who not only were ready to die for their beliefs but cared less about