There is no Medicare policy regarding ovarian cancer, in part, because no good screening solution currently exists. The existence of a problem is necessary, but not sufficient to trigger the agenda setting process. In order for policy to be formed, potential solutions must exist. The availability of solutions depends upon the generation of ideas for solving problems, and also upon a period of idea testing and reinforcement. It is public laws that serve as the bridge between the policy formulation phase and the policy implementation phase Only a small fraction of the legislative proposals that make it onto the agenda and into the draft stage actually make it into law.
Most bills die somewhere along the way.
The drafting of statutes is an art that requires great skill, knowledge, and experience. In some instances, a draft is the result of a study covering a period of a year or more by a commission or committee designated by the President or a member of the cabinet. Laws, once enacted, are immediately binding upon the U.S. population. During the election campaign, the Member may have promised to introduce legislation on a particular subject. The entire campaign may have been based upon one or more such proposals.