Statutory coherence and policy implementation: the case of family planning. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • ABSTRACTPolicy theory suggests that coherent statutes those with precise, clear goals, supported by an adequate causal theory, with clear administrative responsibilities, clear implementation rules, and assigned to committed agencies are more likely to have their intended impact. Using the Mazmanian and Sabatier policy implementation framework, this article examines U.S. family planning policies with a pooled time series analysis from 1982 to 1988. Of the four family planning statutes, only Title X, the categorical grant program, meets the criteria of a coherent statute. The data analysis reveals that a dollar spent through Title X has a much greater impact on birth rates, abortion rates, late prenatal care, and infant and neonatal mortality than does a dollar spent through other programs. The results are strong evidence in support of designing policies with coherent statutes.

published proceedings

  • J Public Policy

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Meier, K. J., & Mcfarlane, D. R.

citation count

  • 29

complete list of authors

  • Meier, KJ||Mcfarlane, DR

publication date

  • September 1996