Choose A Social Justice Problem That Addresses Needs

Choose A Social Justice Problem That Addresses the Needs of a Specific Population

Choose a social justice problem that addresses the needs of a specific population or subgroup that interests you. To find scholarly research about your topics, use the Capella University Library; government, educational, and organizational websites; and the United States Congress website, Congress.gov. Refer to the SWK5002 library research guide, Social Policy Research Tutorial, for assistance in doing policy research and locating resources.

Analyze the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination of your chosen population or subgroup that exist within this social justice topic (for example, race, religion, disabilities, gender orientation, socioeconomic status, or access to services). In your analysis, describe how the oppression and discrimination impacted this population. Identify and analyze the ethical problems associated with your selected social justice problem. Use the "NASW Code of Ethics" website and the Social Work Speaks policy textbook to guide your analysis.

Analyze the policy implications for this social justice problem. In this analysis: Research and describe current, enacted policies that seek to address this social justice problem. These policies must be passed legislation that currently in practice. Legislation can be at the federal or state level, but ultimately your course project will require you to select a federal policy. Analyze how effective these policies are in addressing the needs of your chosen population or subgroup. Do the policies effectively address the social justice problem? Provide a rationale that includes scholarly, peer-reviewed research.

Assess the impact these policies have had on your selected population or subgroup. What policy constraints exist for this population? Compare advocacy methods for the selected social justice problem.

Paper For Above instruction

The social justice issue chosen for this analysis is the systemic discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities within the healthcare system. This subgroup experiences a multifaceted spectrum of oppression driven by societal attitudes, institutional policies, and legislative gaps. Analyzing this issue reveals the complex mechanisms of discrimination and the ongoing ethical dilemmas in ensuring equitable access to health services, which necessitate a critical review of policy interventions and advocacy strategies.

Discrimination against individuals with disabilities manifests through various forms—ranging from physical barriers to systemic biases that hinder healthcare access and quality. The Social Model of Disability emphasizes that these barriers are socially constructed, largely driven by societal and institutional attitudes that marginalize this population (Oliver, 2013). For example, accessible medical facilities, tailored communication methods, and provider training are often inadequate, further marginalizing disabled individuals. The oppression rooted in stereotypes and societal stigma contributes to health disparities, including higher rates of untreated health conditions, inadequate preventive care, and increased hospitalization (Hirsch et al., 2018). These discriminatory practices violate fundamental human rights and lead to significant ethical issues concerning autonomy, justice, and beneficence, as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics (National Association of Social Workers [NASW], 2021).

The ethical problems surrounding disability discrimination in healthcare are profound. They include a failure to provide equitable treatment, respect for individual dignity, and the obligation of healthcare providers to uphold justice (Duffy et al., 2018). The disparity reflects a violation of the core social work values of social justice and service, which mandates advocacy and entitlement to fair treatment for all populations. The ethical dilemma arises when policies and practices inadvertently perpetuate inequities, despite intentions to improve care, highlighting the importance of ongoing ethical scrutiny and advocacy.

Policy analysis reveals multiple legislative efforts aimed at addressing healthcare disparities for individuals with disabilities. Notably, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and mandates accessible health services and facilities (United States Congress, 1998). More recent policies, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), expanded Medicaid and improved Medicaid services, increasing healthcare access for disabled populations (CMS, 2020). Despite these legislative measures, gaps remain; for example, enforcement inconsistencies and gaps in insurance coverage persist (Gonzalez et al., 2022). The effectiveness of these policies varies, with research indicating improvements in access but persistent disparities in health outcomes due to structural and social barriers (Fishbane et al., 2019).

Current policies, while impactful, do not fully eliminate inequalities. For instance, the ADA’s implementation relies heavily on enforcement and compliance, which can be inconsistent across states (Nosek et al., 2020). The ACA has made strides in creating coverage pools, yet many disabled individuals, particularly those with complex conditions, still face barriers linked to provider shortages, transportation issues, and insufficient provider training. Peer-reviewed studies suggest that policies need to be complemented by systemic reforms that address social determinants of health and promote proactive advocacy (Lalushini & Green, 2021).

The impact of these policies on people with disabilities has improved access to health insurance and some services, but disparities in health outcomes persist. Policy constraints include inadequate funding, inconsistent enforcement, and societal attitudes that continue to stigmatize disability within healthcare settings. These constraints hinder the realization of full health equity for this population (Ferguson et al., 2022). Advocacy efforts—ranging from community organizing to legal action—have been crucial in pushing policy changes, yet the effectiveness varies by region and issue focus. Comparatively, advocacy methods such as grassroots mobilization and legal challenges tend to produce tangible policy shifts, whereas awareness campaigns alone are less effective in creating systemic change (Quinn et al., 2020).

In conclusion, addressing the social justice issues faced by individuals with disabilities in healthcare requires a multifaceted approach. Existing legislation forms a crucial foundation, yet gaps remain that perpetuate disparities. Strengthening enforcement, increasing funding, and promoting societal attitude shifts are essential components. Advocacy strategies that combine legal action, community engagement, and policy reform work synergistically to challenge systemic barriers and promote health equity. Policymakers, social workers, and community advocates must collaborate to develop comprehensive solutions that uphold the principles of justice and human dignity for this vulnerable population.

References

• CMS. (2020). Medicaid expansion and its impact on health disparities. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Duffy, S., Murray, J., & Clark, M. (2018). Ethics and access to healthcare among persons with disabilities. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(8), 541-546.
• Ferguson, G., Zhang, Q., & Turner, B. (2022). Structural barriers in healthcare for disabled populations: A policy perspective. Health Policy, 126(3), 375-384.
• Gonzalez, L., Patel, M., & Wong, S. (2022). Policy gaps and disparities in healthcare access for individuals with disabilities. Disability & Health Journal, 15(2), 101123.
• Hirsch, B., Martin, T., & Williams, P. (2018). Stigma and health disparities among disabled populations. Social Science & Medicine, 210, 123-130.
• Lalushini, M., & Green, P. (2021). Systemic reforms and advocacy strategies for health equity in disability. Journal of Health Policy, 12(4), 232-245.
• NASW. (2021). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. NASW Press.
• Nosek, M., et al. (2020). Policy enforcement and disability rights in healthcare. Disability and Society, 35(5), 793-808.
• Oliver, M. (2013). The social model of disability: An outdated ideology? Disability & Society, 28(5), 635-646.
• United States Congress. (1998). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law No. 101-336). Government Printing Office.