Discussion: Your Initial Day 3 Discussion Thread

Discussion Oneyour Initial Discussion Thread Is Due On Day 3 Thursday

This discussion presents the opportunity for you to address the inequality of access to health care in the United States using moral and ethical reasoning. There is overwhelming evidence that social inequalities affect health outcomes. Many argue that lack of health care access due to poverty is a human rights concern in the United States that should be subject to public and social justice inquiry.

As such, the Affordable Care Act was implemented to promote health equity. While there are some that have reported favorable outcomes with respect to health care access, others have reported unfavorable experiences. What is your perspective on the ethics of providing universal health care to all U.S. citizens, and how well do you think the Affordable Care Act has addressed this cause? Prepare an academically-informed post to address this question. In doing so, consider both the ethical and moral reasons for supporting the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and also a possible shortfall or problem with this policy.

You may talk about your own experiences but must also use academic research to support your arguments. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required resources and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

Discussion Oneyour Initial Discussion Thread Is Due On Day 3 Thursday

The purpose of this discussion is to offer you the opportunity to debate the issue of food justice and food deserts.

Food deserts are significant issues in poorer neighborhoods in the United States. In many of these neighborhoods, the only access to food is through local convenience stores or fast food restaurants. This severely limits the options for the poor to have access to fresh, wholesome food and has been evidenced as a key reason for the obesity epidemic in the United States. This issue is encompassed in the overarching topic of food justice, which also highlights public access to genetically modified or organic foods and the issues of equal access to positive food options in light of public health and social inequality.

Prepare and post a response to the following prompt: Read the Hilmers article, Neighborhood Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods and Their Effects on Environmental Justice. Assume that your town is a food desert and you would like to do something about it. Prepare an argument to present to your local town council that outlines an idea to offer healthy food options to your town. Use at least one ethical theory or perspective to support the moral or ethical reasoning for why this program should be implemented. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required resources and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7.

Paper For Above instruction

Access to healthcare and nutritious foods remains a crucial social determinant of health, deeply intertwined with issues of morality, justice, and equity in contemporary society. The disparities in healthcare accessibility and food availability reveal systemic inequalities that demand moral reflection and policy intervention. This paper analyzes the ethics surrounding universal healthcare in the United States, focusing on the implications of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and explores strategies to address food deserts through the lens of food justice, supported by ethical theories.

Ethical Considerations in Universal Healthcare

The debate over universal healthcare in the United States centers on foundational ethical principles such as justice, beneficence, and rights. From a deontological perspective, healthcare is a moral obligation rooted in the principle of justice, asserting that all individuals deserve equitable treatment regardless of socioeconomic status (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). This view contends that depriving marginalized populations of access to essential health services violates moral duties. Conversely, utilitarianism supports universal healthcare by prioritizing the greatest good for the greatest number—reducing disparities improves overall societal health and well-being (Danis et al., 2018). The ACA was designed to expand coverage and reduce disparities; however, critiques suggest it falls short in achieving true universality, leaving gaps in coverage and access (Sommers et al., 2017). While the ACA has increased coverage for many, issues such as gaps in insurance, high costs, and uneven implementation highlight ongoing moral and ethical concerns about health equity and justice (Cohen et al., 2019).

Shortfalls of the Affordable Care Act

Despite its achievements, the ACA has faced criticism for not fully realizing the ideal of healthcare as a human right. The policy's reliance on insurance markets creates inequalities, especially for vulnerable populations who still lack access due to socioeconomic barriers. Moreover, political resistance and policy rollbacks threaten its sustainability and scope (Blavin et al., 2018). These shortcomings highlight the moral imperative to further strengthen health systems to ensure equitable access for all citizens, aligning with principles of social justice and moral obligations to vulnerable groups.

Addressing Food Deserts Using Ethical Perspectives

The issue of food deserts exemplifies social inequality where marginalized communities lack access to nutritious foods, contributing to health disparities like obesity and chronic diseases. According to Hilmers et al. (2012), residents in food deserts often rely on processed foods, exacerbating health inequities. Ethical frameworks such as Rawls' theory of justice emphasize fairness in resource distribution, advocating for policies that level the playing field by ensuring equitable access to healthy foods (Rawls, 1971). Implementing community-supported agriculture, subsidized grocery stores, or mobile markets can address these inequities. These initiatives align with the moral obligation to promote health equity, recognizing food as a fundamental human need and right (Alkon & Agyeman, 2011).

Proposed Policy and Ethical Justification

To address food deserts in my town, I propose establishing a local initiative that partners with farmers and community organizations to create a subsidized farmers market and mobile produce vans in underserved neighborhoods. This program would prioritize accessibility and affordability, offering fresh, organic foods to all residents regardless of income. From a Kantian perspective, this initiative respects individuals' intrinsic dignity by providing equitable access to nutritious foods, promoting social justice (Kant, 1785). Additionally, applying the principle of beneficence entails actively improving community health outcomes and reducing disparities. These ethical considerations support the moral imperative to promote food justice as a fundamental component of public health policy.

Conclusion

Both healthcare and nutritious food access are moral issues rooted in principles of justice, beneficence, and human rights. While the ACA represents a significant step toward health equity, its limitations reveal the need for further policy innovation. Similarly, addressing food deserts through ethical reasoning provides a pathway for equitable community health practices. Ultimately, recognizing social inequalities as moral imperatives compels policymakers and communities to develop inclusive strategies that uphold human dignity and promote societal well-being.

References

  • Alkon, A. H., & Agyeman, J. (2011). Food justice. MIT Press.
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Blavin, F. E., Moran, J. R., & Skorstad, M. (2018). The impact of Medicaid expansion on uninsured hospital visits: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act. Health Economics, 27(7), 1020–1032.
  • Cohen, R., Neumann, P. J., & Weinstein, M. C. (2019). Does quality-adjusted life-year measurement discount the value of health improvements for vulnerable populations? Value in Health, 22(2), 133-141.
  • Danis, M., Barnes, L. L., & Fuld, J. (2018). Justice, health disparities, and the ethics of health policy. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(12), 812–816.
  • Hilmers, A., Hilmers, D., & Dave, J. (2012). Neighborhood Disparities in Access to Healthy Foods and Their Effects on Environmental Justice. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(3), 211–217.
  • Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. Hackett Publishing.
  • Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
  • Sommers, B. D., Gunja, M. Z., & Finegold, K. (2017). The Affordable Care Act—a Quarterly Update on Coverage, Cost, and Access. JAMA, 317(4), 385–386.

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