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Statutory Coherence and Policy Implementation: The Case of Family Planning

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  • Meier, Kenneth J.
  • McFarlane, Deborah R.

Abstract

Policy 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Meier, Kenneth J. & McFarlane, Deborah R., 1995. "Statutory Coherence and Policy Implementation: The Case of Family Planning," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 281-298, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:jnlpup:v:15:y:1995:i:03:p:281-298_01
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    Cited by:

    1. Doyle, Mary-Alice & Schurer, Stefanie & Silburn, Sven, 2022. "Unintended consequences of welfare reform: Evidence from birthweight of Aboriginal children in Australia," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    2. Casiano Flores, Cesar & Özerol, Gül & Bressers, Hans, 2017. "“Governance restricts”: A contextual assessment of the wastewater treatment policy in the Guadalupe River Basin, Mexico," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 29-40.
    3. Deborah A. Cobb-Clark & Nathan Kettlewell & Stefanie Schurer & Sven Silburn, 2023. "The Effect of Quarantining Welfare on School Attendance in Indigenous Communities," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 58(6), pages 2072-2110.

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