46 Unit 1 Foundations of Medical Law and Ethics Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Article II of the Constitution creates the executive branch of gov- ernment, which is headed by the President (Figure 3.4). The duty of the executive branch is to administer and enforce the laws of the United States as enacted by Congress. The President has influence over Con- gress through his authority to approve or reject (veto) acts of Con- gress. While Congress has the sole power to declare war, the executive branch has the sole authority to manage foreign affairs on behalf of the country. The creation of regulations by administrative agencies within the executive branch is important to the relationship between government and healthcare. For instance, routine, daily healthcare practices can be heavily influenced by reimbursement and service coding require- ments established to administer federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Fifteen executive departments carry out the day-to-day administra- tion of the federal government. The heads of these departments, known as secretaries, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Sen- ate. They serve on an advisory panel called the Cabinet and report to the President. Cabinet members are often the President’s closest confidants. Department heads of other executive agencies are not included in the Cabinet but still fall under the authority of the President. Healthcare can be affected by any number of these executive branch agencies, often in ways that may be lesser known. For example, the US Patent Office has a significant role in determining who can receive rights and privileges under patent laws that govern new drugs and med- ical appliances. The connection between other departments and health is more apparent. The Department of Health and Human Services is the principle executive branch the portion of the government that is empowered to implement the laws established by the legislative branch Cabinet the advisory body to the President of the United States, which is made up of the heads of various federal agencies Jeff Kinsey/Shutterstock.com Figure 3.4 The White House, which is where the President lives, is also the seat of the government’s executive branch.
Medical Law & Professional Ethics, 1st Edition Page 46 (66 of 312)
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46 Unit 1 Foundations of Medical Law and Ethics Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Article II of the Constitution creates the executive branch of gov- ernment, which is headed by the President (Figure 3.4). The duty of the executive branch is to administer and enforce the laws of the United States as enacted by Congress. The President has influence over Con- gress through his authority to approve or reject (veto) acts of Con- gress. While Congress has the sole power to declare war, the executive branch has the sole authority to manage foreign affairs on behalf of the country. The creation of regulations by administrative agencies within the executive branch is important to the relationship between government and healthcare. For instance, routine, daily healthcare practices can be heavily influenced by reimbursement and service coding require- ments established to administer federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Fifteen executive departments carry out the day-to-day administra- tion of the federal government. The heads of these departments, known as secretaries, are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Sen- ate. They serve on an advisory panel called the Cabinet and report to the President. Cabinet members are often the President’s closest confidants. Department heads of other executive agencies are not included in the Cabinet but still fall under the authority of the President. Healthcare can be affected by any number of these executive branch agencies, often in ways that may be lesser known. For example, the US Patent Office has a significant role in determining who can receive rights and privileges under patent laws that govern new drugs and med- ical appliances. The connection between other departments and health is more apparent. The Department of Health and Human Services is the principle executive branch the portion of the government that is empowered to implement the laws established by the legislative branch Cabinet the advisory body to the President of the United States, which is made up of the heads of various federal agencies Jeff Kinsey/Shutterstock.com Figure 3.4 The White House, which is where the President lives, is also the seat of the government’s executive branch.
