MHA 708 | MHA708 Exam 1: Healthcare Policy
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale - Louisiana State
University in Shreveport
1. Which legislative milestone in 1965 significantly expanded the federal government’s role in
the U.S. healthcare system?
A. The Affordable Care Act
B. The Social Security Act Amendments
C. The Hill-Burton Act
D. The Flexner Report
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The 1965 Social Security Act Amendments created Medicare and Medicaid,
which are cornerstone programs of federal healthcare involvement. This legislation
provided insurance for the elderly and low-income individuals, marking a shift from
private to public sector funding for these groups. Option A is incorrect because the
Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010 to expand coverage. Option C is incorrect because
the Hill-Burton Act focused on hospital construction in 1946. Option D is incorrect because
the Flexner Report was a 1910 study that reformed medical education standards.
2. In the context of the ‘Iron Triangle’ of healthcare, what are the three competing priorities
that policymakers must balance?
A. Doctors, Patients, and Insurers
B. Innovation, Regulation, and Profit
C. Federal, State, and Local power
D. Access, Quality, and Cost
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Iron Triangle theory posits that any change in access, quality, or cost will
affect the other two dimensions. For example, increasing access often leads to higher costs,
while reducing costs might jeopardize quality. Option B is incorrect because innovation and
profit are market drivers but not the core pillars of this specific policy framework. Option C
is incorrect because federalism relates to governance levels rather than healthcare delivery
outcomes. Option D is incorrect because it lists stakeholders rather than the fundamental
goals of the healthcare system.
,3. Which branch of the U.S. government is primarily responsible for the implementation of
health policies through rulemaking and regulation?
A. The Legislative Branch
B. The Judicial Branch
C. The Executive Branch
D. The Congressional Budget Office
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Executive Branch, through agencies like the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), carries out laws passed by Congress. These agencies develop the
specific rules and regulations that govern how policies operate in the real world. Option A
is incorrect because the Legislative Branch focuses on drafting and passing the actual
statutes. Option B is incorrect because the Judicial Branch interprets laws and resolves
disputes rather than implementing them. Option D is incorrect because the CBO is a
nonpartisan agency that provides economic data to Congress.
4. What term describes the division of power between the federal government and state
governments in the regulation of healthcare?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Preemption
C. Checks and Balances
D. Federalism
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Federalism is the constitutional system that allows both federal and state
governments to have authority over specific policy areas. In healthcare, this results in
states having primary authority over public health and licensing, while the federal
government controls funding for Medicare. Option A is incorrect because separation of
powers refers to the branches within a single level of government. Option C is incorrect
because checks and balances prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Option
D is incorrect because preemption occurs when federal law overrules state law, which is a
specific outcome of federalism rather than the system itself.
5. According to Longest’s Policy Cycle Model, what is the initial phase where problems are
defined and potential solutions are explored?
A. Policy Implementation
B. Policy Modification
C. Agenda Setting
D. Policy Formulation
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Policy formulation includes the activities of agenda setting and the
subsequent development of legislation to address specific issues. This phase is critical
because it determines which problems get the attention of lawmakers and how they are
framed. Option A is incorrect because implementation occurs after a law has already been
passed. Option B is incorrect because modification involves revising existing policies based
on evaluation. Option D is incorrect because agenda setting is technically a subset within
the broader formulation phase in many theoretical models.
6. Which group of stakeholders is often represented by lobbyists to influence healthcare
legislation through financial contributions and advocacy?
A. Regulatory Agencies
B. Interest Groups
C. Supreme Court Justices
D. Uninsured Patients
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Interest groups, such as the American Medical Association or PhRMA, use
lobbyists to represent their specific views to policymakers. They seek to influence the
legislative process to protect their members’ economic or professional interests. Option B
is incorrect because regulatory agencies are part of the government and do not hire
lobbyists to influence legislation. Option C is incorrect because judges are meant to be
impartial and are not legally influenced by lobbyists. Option D is incorrect because
uninsured patients generally lack the organized financial resources required to sustain
significant lobbying efforts.
7. Which of the following best describes the ‘police powers’ of the states in healthcare?
A. The authority to arrest individuals who lack health insurance
B. The ability of state police to manage hospital security
C. The power to regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of the public
D. Federal authority delegated to states to enforce Medicare rules
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Police power is a legal concept that gives states the inherent authority to
protect the health and well- welfare of their citizens. This includes mandating vaccinations,
licensing healthcare professionals, and conducting restaurant inspections. Option A is
incorrect because lack of insurance is not a criminal offense subject to arrest. Option C is
incorrect because hospital security is a private function or a local law enforcement matter,
not the definition of this constitutional power. Option D is incorrect because police powers
originate from the 10th Amendment, not from federal delegation.
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale - Louisiana State
University in Shreveport
1. Which legislative milestone in 1965 significantly expanded the federal government’s role in
the U.S. healthcare system?
A. The Affordable Care Act
B. The Social Security Act Amendments
C. The Hill-Burton Act
D. The Flexner Report
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The 1965 Social Security Act Amendments created Medicare and Medicaid,
which are cornerstone programs of federal healthcare involvement. This legislation
provided insurance for the elderly and low-income individuals, marking a shift from
private to public sector funding for these groups. Option A is incorrect because the
Affordable Care Act was enacted in 2010 to expand coverage. Option C is incorrect because
the Hill-Burton Act focused on hospital construction in 1946. Option D is incorrect because
the Flexner Report was a 1910 study that reformed medical education standards.
2. In the context of the ‘Iron Triangle’ of healthcare, what are the three competing priorities
that policymakers must balance?
A. Doctors, Patients, and Insurers
B. Innovation, Regulation, and Profit
C. Federal, State, and Local power
D. Access, Quality, and Cost
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Iron Triangle theory posits that any change in access, quality, or cost will
affect the other two dimensions. For example, increasing access often leads to higher costs,
while reducing costs might jeopardize quality. Option B is incorrect because innovation and
profit are market drivers but not the core pillars of this specific policy framework. Option C
is incorrect because federalism relates to governance levels rather than healthcare delivery
outcomes. Option D is incorrect because it lists stakeholders rather than the fundamental
goals of the healthcare system.
,3. Which branch of the U.S. government is primarily responsible for the implementation of
health policies through rulemaking and regulation?
A. The Legislative Branch
B. The Judicial Branch
C. The Executive Branch
D. The Congressional Budget Office
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Executive Branch, through agencies like the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), carries out laws passed by Congress. These agencies develop the
specific rules and regulations that govern how policies operate in the real world. Option A
is incorrect because the Legislative Branch focuses on drafting and passing the actual
statutes. Option B is incorrect because the Judicial Branch interprets laws and resolves
disputes rather than implementing them. Option D is incorrect because the CBO is a
nonpartisan agency that provides economic data to Congress.
4. What term describes the division of power between the federal government and state
governments in the regulation of healthcare?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Preemption
C. Checks and Balances
D. Federalism
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Federalism is the constitutional system that allows both federal and state
governments to have authority over specific policy areas. In healthcare, this results in
states having primary authority over public health and licensing, while the federal
government controls funding for Medicare. Option A is incorrect because separation of
powers refers to the branches within a single level of government. Option C is incorrect
because checks and balances prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Option
D is incorrect because preemption occurs when federal law overrules state law, which is a
specific outcome of federalism rather than the system itself.
5. According to Longest’s Policy Cycle Model, what is the initial phase where problems are
defined and potential solutions are explored?
A. Policy Implementation
B. Policy Modification
C. Agenda Setting
D. Policy Formulation
, Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Policy formulation includes the activities of agenda setting and the
subsequent development of legislation to address specific issues. This phase is critical
because it determines which problems get the attention of lawmakers and how they are
framed. Option A is incorrect because implementation occurs after a law has already been
passed. Option B is incorrect because modification involves revising existing policies based
on evaluation. Option D is incorrect because agenda setting is technically a subset within
the broader formulation phase in many theoretical models.
6. Which group of stakeholders is often represented by lobbyists to influence healthcare
legislation through financial contributions and advocacy?
A. Regulatory Agencies
B. Interest Groups
C. Supreme Court Justices
D. Uninsured Patients
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Interest groups, such as the American Medical Association or PhRMA, use
lobbyists to represent their specific views to policymakers. They seek to influence the
legislative process to protect their members’ economic or professional interests. Option B
is incorrect because regulatory agencies are part of the government and do not hire
lobbyists to influence legislation. Option C is incorrect because judges are meant to be
impartial and are not legally influenced by lobbyists. Option D is incorrect because
uninsured patients generally lack the organized financial resources required to sustain
significant lobbying efforts.
7. Which of the following best describes the ‘police powers’ of the states in healthcare?
A. The authority to arrest individuals who lack health insurance
B. The ability of state police to manage hospital security
C. The power to regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of the public
D. Federal authority delegated to states to enforce Medicare rules
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Police power is a legal concept that gives states the inherent authority to
protect the health and well- welfare of their citizens. This includes mandating vaccinations,
licensing healthcare professionals, and conducting restaurant inspections. Option A is
incorrect because lack of insurance is not a criminal offense subject to arrest. Option C is
incorrect because hospital security is a private function or a local law enforcement matter,
not the definition of this constitutional power. Option D is incorrect because police powers
originate from the 10th Amendment, not from federal delegation.
