Defining health policy to encompass all decisions within any branch and at any level of government that pertain to health or the pursuit of health, Longest (health policy and management, U. of Pittsburgh) seeks to provide a comprehensive model for health policy is formed in the United States. The model, presentation of which follows discussion of definitional issues and the influence of policy on health determinants, portrays the policy-making process as the result of governmental suppliers of policies interacting with interest group demanders seeking health, economic, or other advantages in a political marketplace. The workings of the model are further sketched out in chapters on agenda setting, development of legislation, rulemaking, policy implementation and operation, and policy modification. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less