POL, Chapter 17: Social Policy
Equality of opportunity
A widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents & wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
What benefits do the elderly get from social programs in the US?
Two major social policies benefit the elderly: Social Security and Medicare Social Security has dramatically reduced poverty among the elderly since its inception; considered the most effective antipoverty program in the United States
What is the difference between a contributory social program and a noncontributory social program? Give examples of each.
Programs, where people pay now for some potential future benefit, are known as contributory, whereas programs where recipients are not expected to pay for the program and that are awarded based on need are called noncontributory. Contributory: Welfare - TANF Medicaid Food Stamps - SNAP Noncontributory: Social Security Medicare
How is the poverty level used when calculating benefits to the poor?
Recipients must demonstrate need via means test the federal poverty line determines whether individuals and families qualify for such benefits
What are the two kinds of tax expenditures discussed in class?
Social Security Medicare
Why are proposals to cut benefits in Social Security and Medicare so controversial?
Social Security has dramatically reduced poverty among the elderly since its inception; considered the most effective antipoverty program in the United States the elderly are seen as a "deserving" population the programs are not means-tested and so have broader appeal Recipients have paid into the program Strong lobbying for support by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
What was the poverty level for a family of three in 2017 (look in the PowerPoints)?
$20,420
Does the Supreme Court believe the PPAHCA is constitutional? Why or why not?
2012 Supreme Court upheld PPAHCA individual mandate but not requirement states expand Medicaid
Social Security
A contributory welfare program into which working Americans contribute a percentage of their wages and from which they receive cash benefits after retirement or if they become disabled
Medicaid
A federally and state-financed, state-operated program providing medical services to low-income people
Medicare
A form of national health insurance for the elderly and the disabled
Entitlement
A legal obligation of the federal government to provide payments to individuals, or groups of individuals, according to eligibility criteria or benefit rules
Means testing
A procedure by which potential beneficiaries of a public-assistance program establish their eligibility by demonstrating a genuine need for the assistance The federal poverty line determines whether individuals and families qualify for such benefits
Cost of living adjustments (COLAs)
Changes made to the level of benefits of government program based on the rate of inflation
What was the No Child Left Behind Act and why was it so controversial?
Designed to push for higher standards in K-12 education Testing and reporting requirements controversial, especially since non attainment carried high penalties
Describe the history of social policy after 1935. Include the laws discussed in class.
Foundation of modern welfare programs was passage of the Social Security Act of 1935 For Social Security and Medicare (health insurance for the elderly), workers and their employers contribute equally from each paycheck. Social Security benefits are tied to contributions. -->benefits are indexed Medicare benefits are equal for all; not tied to contributions. Unemployment insurance -->Funded by a combination of federal and state taxes -->In most states, benefits last for 26 weeks
Is there a difference in public support of the two kinds of programs? Why or why not?
From the 1960s through the 1990s polls consistently showed that the public viewed most welfare recipients as "undeserving" There was widespread belief that welfare recipients did not want to work and were taking advantage of the system Some people argue that this negative view was based on racial stereotypes
How are Social Security and Medicare funded? Are the taxes received annually for each enough to fully fund each program? Why or why not?
Funds to pay for these programs come disproportionately from payroll taxes, which are regressive no bc they're regressive
How and when was the No Child Left Behind Act reformed?
G.W. Bush pushed for "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) legislation in 2001
What are tax expenditures and how do they relate to "shadow welfare?"
Government subsidies provided to employers and employees through tax deductions for amounts spent on health insurance and other benefits The middle class benefits from the "shadow welfare state" --> benefits employers provide (medical insurance etc.) are not taxed by the federal government -->mortgage tax exemption
Why did social policies change and begin involving the government?
Local governments and private charities handled the care of the poor for much of American history but during the 1930s, this system of charity collapsed amid widespread poverty during Great Depression the federal government responded to crisis Over the years after Great Depression, a government system of social welfare developed and expanded
What do state and local public health programs do?
Local health inspectors monitor restaurants and grocery stores to ensure sanitary conditions.
What is the role of state governments in the administration of TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid?
Medicaid: -->Federal government provides matching funds to states -->States administer within loose federal guidelines -->Benefits disparity between states Nonworking poor primarily benefit from TANF & maybe SNAP & Medicaid TANF varies widely across country Many states offer "general assistance" (cash assistance) But most states have greatly reduced the amount
What are the major federal public health programs and what do they do?
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
In-kind benefits
Non cash goods and services provided to needy individuals and families by the federal government
List and explain the programs and policies your text identifies as being designed to promote equality of opportunity.
Primarily as means to long-term economic benefits to entire society when more are educated, employed
What is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010? What were its main provisions?
Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPAHCA) (2010) Covers Americans without existing insurance Three components: State-based insurance exchanges, can't deny coverage Requires uninsured to purchase health insurance Subsidies for small businesses and low-income people Gradual phase-in, full implementation by 2020
Indexing
Periodic process of adjusting social benefits or wages to account for increases in the cost of living
What benefits do the upper and middle class get from social programs in the US?
Social Security helps people in the middle class by relieving them of costs associated with caring for elderly relatives The middle class benefits from the "shadow welfare state" benefits employers provide (e.g., medical insurance) are not taxed by the federal government The middle class benefits from the mortgage tax exemption
Contributory programs
Social programs financed in whole or in part by taxation or other mandatory contributions by their present or future recipients
Noncontributory programs
Social programs that provide assistance to people on the basis of demonstrated need rather than any contribution they have made
What has the result been in how many people receive welfare benefits via TANF? Does this mean fewer people are living in poverty? Explain.
TANF cash benefits have fallen by more than 20% in most states & continue to erode
What benefits do the nonworking poor get from social programs in the US?
Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) SNAP Medicaid Programs typically aimed at helping children
How was welfare "reformed" in 1996? Why was it done?
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act became law in 1996 In 1994, the number of welfare recipients reached a high point
Deserving poor
The elderly The working poor who often fail to benefit from the "shadow welfare state" -->Do not hold jobs that offer health insurance or pensions -->Likely to rent, not own a home, so they get no mortgage deduction
What is public health?
The health of the population as a whole, especially as monitored, regulated, and promoted by the state
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The largest antipoverty program, which provides recipients with a debit card for food at most grocery stores; formerly known as food stamps
What did the social welfare system in the US look like prior to the New Deal?
The new deal created the welfare state. Before the new deal, the government's only responsibility was to provide conditions for prosperity, but it was not their responsibility to make sure the people were prospering. Early programs distinguished between "deserving" versus "undeserving" poor Indoor relief versus outdoor relief
About what percentage of children are living in poverty according to our discussions in class.
The poverty rate for children is higher than for the overall American population. ~20%
Describe poverty rates based on demographic factors as outlined in your text. How do these percentages relate to the demographics of the country?
The poverty rate for minorities is higher than for white Americans. The poverty rate for American households headed by a female is higher than for households headed by a male. The poverty rate for children is higher than for the overall American population. The poverty rate for American people aged 18-64 is higher than for those over 65.
What benefits do the working poor get from social programs in the US?
The working poor often fail to benefit from the "shadow welfare state" The working poor do benefit from three major programs: ACA: heath insurance subsidies Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): payroll tax relief and a modest wage supplement SNAP: food assistance seen as deserving
Undeserving poor
Transients, able-bodied adults, others the community did not approve of
TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
Welfare; includes income, education subsidies and discounts, job-training programs, and other benefits
