Politics & Government
Federalism and the Decentralization of Healthcare Policy
Quick fact
The U.S. Constitution does not mention health care, yet the federal government funds programs like Medicare and Medicaid, while states regulate doctors, hospitals, and insurance—leading to a patchwork of healthcare policies across the country.
Why this is interesting
You might think the federal government runs all of American healthcare, so why do health laws and insurance costs differ so much between, say, Texas and Massachusetts? The answer lies in how power is divided between the federal government and the states.