Ip5 Heath Care Policy

IP 5

Senior executives from a variety of organizations are often called to testify about health policy issues (as you saw in Unit 3's group project about the U.S. congressional hearing). It is in the organization's best interest if these executives are both politically competent and good corporate citizens.

1. In general terms, what knowledge, skills, and individual behaviors must an executive have to be politically competent and and to be good corporate citizens?

2. Think about the witness whose testimony you summarized for the group project. Did he or she demonstrate political competence? Explain.

3. Think about a particular healthcare organization's corporate citizenship. How would you describe it (e.g., "good," "average," or "poor")? What did the organization do (or not do) to achieve this level of corporate citizenship?

Yes, it is in the organization's best interest if these executives are both politically competent and good corporate citizens. The testimony that they give is wasted if the person or represented organization is not creditable. Not only does the represented organization need a good track record for ethical and community responsibility but the spokesman executive also required the same level of respect, if not more.

What Knowledge, skills and individual behaviors must an executive have to be considered politically competent and be a good corporate citizen? First and foremost they must be honest and appear honest. They must also be an excellent communicator and very poised during high level appearances. Their knowledge must be current on the area of the testimony and have years of experience dealing in healthcare matters. They must also have the "Big Picture", this means to know what issues are on the table and how the legislation will affect each concerned party and not leave any one out.

Mr. Rick Foster, the Chief Actuary for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services did demonstrate political competence. He had the knowledge and skill needed to address the financial needs of the Medicare and Medicaid services. He explained that the two funds were different and what that meant. With his knowledge of the Medicare system and what actions had been taken in the past and the actions being proposed for this decision session he was one of the best examples of an executive with the skills, knowledge and behaviors necessary to be politically