Policy Assignment
Section Two: Description and Analysis of a Policy that Addresses the Social Problem Identify one existing State or Federal legislative policy that has been ratified to address the problem.
- Describe the goals of the policy.
- Describe the legislative history of the policy? When did the policy originate and how (law, court decision, executive order, etc.)?
- Describe the policy including as relevant:
- Who will be covered by the policy and what are the criteria for inclusion?
- What are the social programs, interventions, or regulations that have (or will be) implemented as a result of the policy?
- Does the social policy you are discussing align with Biblical principles or is it in conflict with God’s word? Please cite scripture(s) to support your claim.
- Identify who administers the policy (e.g. non-profit, government agency, etc.)
- Which NASW Code of Ethics values are consistent with this policy?
- Are there side effects or unintended outcomes of the policy that are likely to cause other social problems? Please describe at least one.
- In your research, did you identify any barriers to full implementation of the policy (e.g. lack of funding, resistance from State, politics)? If so, please explain.
Answer:
One existing legislative policy that addresses a social problem is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in March 2010.
The goals of the policy are to increase the number of Americans who have access to quality, affordable health care and to reduce the growth in health care costs.
The ACA was the result of several years of debate and compromise in the U.S. Congress. It was enacted as a law through the legislative process.
The policy covers most Americans who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance or who are not eligible for public health insurance programs such as Medicaid or Medicare. The criteria for inclusion are based on income, age, and other factors.
As a result of the policy, several social programs, interventions, and regulations have been implemented, including the expansion of Medicaid, the creation of insurance exchanges, and the requirement for most Americans to have health insurance coverage.
The ACA does not align with specific Biblical principles and its relation to religious principles is a matter of debate and personal interpretation.
The policy is administered by various government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and private health insurance companies.
The values of the NASW Code of Ethics that are consistent with the ACA include service, social justice, and the promotion of human rights and dignity.
There have been unintended consequences of the policy, such as increased costs for some consumers, reduced access to certain health care providers, and a political backlash.
Barriers to full implementation of the policy include lack of funding, political resistance, and legal challenges, such as the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court case National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, which upheld the constitutionality of the ACA but limited the expansion of Medicaid.