Regulators of States and Local Government

Health Law and Regulations

Smith states (2010), “The reality of health care organizations is that they work under the microscope and magnifying glass of both macro and micro accountability. On the macro level, you are accountable to external regulators such as federal, state, and local governments. You are also responsible to your accreditation body or bodies. On the micro level, you are accountable to your patients, their families, and certainly, your superiors (p. 86).

In researching this topic it was found that the executive branch of the federal government includes the executive office of the president. The majority of health related programs and policies are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; several administrative units within the executive office of the president play important roles in the development, coordination, and management of health programs (Scutchfield & Keck, 2003).

Health care regulatory agencies are in charge of monitoring medical, and nursing staff as well as facilities; provide information the hospitals with information about changes. The agencies at the federal, state, and local level establish rules and regulations that all health organizations must follow. Some of the agencies, especially those that provide accreditation, require voluntary participation but are important because they provide rankings or certification of quality. According to Gostin (2000), “Regulatory agencies are viewed as helpful or a hindrance, depending on the side of the fence you are on and the level of involvement: they either serve to protect their own by restricting outsiders from entry or they are considered police-state watchdogs. For example, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations acts to certify and audit healthcare facilities, the American Medical Association (AMA) polices licensed medical doctors in this country and acts to confront and control those it deems practicing against Medical Association...