Final answer:
The assertion that states are mostly limited to basic public health functions is false. States regulate many aspects of healthcare within their jurisdictions, and they have significant roles alongside federal programs, such as Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that states' roles in health policy are limited mostly to basic public health functions is false. State governments have extensive power under their reserved powers to regulate the health, public safety, moral behavior, and general welfare of their citizens. This includes the authority to regulate industries within their boundaries, such as licenses for professionals, including healthcare providers like doctors and nurses. States have been actively involved in the implementation and enforcement of health policies, including Medicaid and the provisions under the Affordable Care Act.
Health policy in the U.S. is a critical issue, where both state and federal governments have significant roles. The federal government runs programs like Medicare and has added the Affordable Care Act to its list of health care services. Nevertheless, state insurance commissioners have the task of interpreting and enforcing many of the provisions of this federal health law. The dynamic between federal initiatives and state powers is a subject of continual legal and political negotiation.