The Three Branches of Government
Laws that affect the cancer community are created, enacted, and reviewed through the three branches of the U.S. government.
Executive Branch
The power of the executive branch lies with the President. The President appoints the Cabinet and oversees the various federal agencies and departments, which in turn have responsibility for administering the programs and activities of the federal government. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies have responsibility for the operations of the Medicare program, the National Institutes of Health, and other federal health programs. In exercising their responsibility for the programs under their jurisdiction, the Secretaries of the Departments, including HHS, may develop regulations related to those programs.
In addition to this broad responsibility over federal departments and agencies, the President sets the budget agenda and policy priorities in the State of the Union address in January. The budget is released in February and is the starting point for the federal budget appropriations process.
Judicial Branch
The judicial branch hears cases that challenge or require interpretation of the legislation passed by Congress and signed by the President. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. Most appointees to the federal bench serve for life or until they voluntarily resign or retire. The Supreme Court includes one chief justice and eight associate justices. Federal trial and appeals court judges are also nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Legislative Branch
The legislative branch of the federal government consists of two chambers, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Together, the Senate and the House are referred to as Congress. The chief function of Congress is to make laws. The House of Representatives, with membership based on state populations, has 435 seats, while the Senate, with two members from each state, has 100 seats. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for a two-year term, while Senators are elected for a six-year term. Most advocacy efforts are focused on Congress, because advocates generally have ready access to their legislators and the legislators' staffers.
