Influences on Bureaucratic Policy Initiatives in the American States

Abstract

This study develops and tests an empirical model of the influences on bureaucratic policy making in state Medicaid programs. The dependent variable is a measure of administrative social policy initiatives. The model incorporates a number of theoretically relevant independent variables, allowing us to examine some of the most important explanations for bureaucratic behavior. The empirical results demonstrate that interest groups, structural characteristics, and state environmental conditions all affect state policy choices to adopt optional health care services. In contrast, partisan and ideological political factors seem to have little direct impact. These findings give us important insights into the bureaucracy's role in state Medicaid programs. They also emphasize the need for further empirical research on administrative influence in the American social welfare policy process, particularly at the state level.

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