Government Policy Impacts Social Justice Problems

Government Policy Impacts Social Justice Problems Some Policies May C

Government policy impacts social justice problems. Some policies may create social justice problems just as they attempt to correct them. To successfully address social justice problems, social workers must have the knowledge and skills to locate, access, analyze, and interpret public policy. Based on your analysis of the social justice problem in the Week 2 assignment, select a current enacted policy that is currently a law to analyze using relevant local, state, or federal policy resources. It must also address the problem that affects your chosen diverse cultural group (for example, based on race, religion, disabilities, gender orientation, socioeconomic status, or access to services).

This will be the policy you analyze for this assignment as well as the Weeks 6 and 9 assignments. Be sure to incorporate constructs that have been covered in this course into your analysis. You will compile all of the assignments you complete throughout the course in Week 9, so as you receive feedback for each assignment, revise your work as necessary. If you need additional support for conducting your research, it may be useful to consult the following: Evidence and APALinks to an external site. . How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles?Links to an external site. Social Work Bachelor's Program (BSW) Library GuideLinks to an external site. . What Is Scholarly?Links to an external site.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Social justice remains a critical concern within the realm of social work, reflecting ongoing inequalities rooted in historical, economic, and social contexts. Policies intended to address these inequalities often have complex ramifications, sometimes perpetuating or exacerbating the very issues they aim to resolve. Analyzing enacted laws that impact social justice problems offers insight into the mechanisms through which policy influences diverse populations. This paper examines the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as an example of a federal policy designed to promote health equity, particularly among marginalized racial and socioeconomic groups, and explores its historical development, programs, and outcomes.

Purpose of the Policy

The Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, aimed to increase healthcare access, reduce disparities, and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. According to Artiga et al. (2019), the ACA sought to expand insurance coverage, enhance Medicaid, and implement policies that promote preventive care and reduce cost barriers. The law was enacted following a recognition of persistent health inequities contributing to social injustice, particularly among racial minorities and low-income groups. Scholarly literature indicates that the ACA's primary purpose was to address systemic barriers that impede equitable access to healthcare services, which is essential for fostering social justice (Sommers et al., 2017).

Programs and Services Provided

The ACA introduced several programs aimed at expanding healthcare access, including Medicaid expansion, health insurance marketplaces, and subsidies for low-income individuals. Medicaid expansion, in particular, aimed to cover millions of uninsured low-income adults previously ineligible for Medicaid. Additionally, the law mandated preventive services without cost-sharing and supported community health initiatives (Blavin et al., 2019). Target populations include racial minorities, individuals with disabilities, low socioeconomic status groups, and rural populations who historically faced barriers to sufficient healthcare. According to Sommers et al. (2017), these programs have contributed to increased insurance coverage and improved health utilization among marginalized groups.

Connection to Social Justice Problems

The social justice problem addressed by the ACA revolves around healthcare disparities rooted in race, socioeconomic status, and geography. These disparities are manifestations of systemic inequalities that result in unequal health outcomes, higher morbidity and mortality rates, and economic burdens on marginalized communities (Bleich et al., 2019). Historically, healthcare access was limited for racial minorities and low-income individuals due to discriminatory policies and economic barriers, exacerbating social injustice. The ACA was developed against this backdrop, aiming to dismantle some systemic barriers and promote health equity.

Historical Context and Development

The origins of health disparities are deeply embedded in the history of segregated care, discriminatory legislation (e.g., Jim Crow laws), and economic disenfranchisement. Prior to the ACA, the lack of universal health coverage in the U.S. resulted in millions of uninsured, particularly among minorities and low-income populations (Long & Wenzlow, 2019). Legislative efforts to reform healthcare date back to the Clinton administration, but impactful legislation was enacted later during the Obama presidency. The legislative process included extensive debates, votes, and advocacy by civil rights and health equity leaders. The Affordable Care Act faced opposition from political factions, but its passage marked a significant shift toward addressing health disparities. Its implementation has been shaped by historical resistance, funding constraints, and ongoing policy adaptations (Sommers et al., 2017).

Implementation and Impact

The implementation of the ACA significantly expanded Medicaid eligibility and established health insurance exchanges. According to Blavin et al. (2019), these changes led to increased coverage, particularly among racial minorities and low-income groups, thereby reducing disparities in healthcare utilization. Nevertheless, challenges such as state-level resistance to Medicaid expansion and political opposition have limited some aspects of its impact (Bleich et al., 2019). Over time, evaluations demonstrate improvements in preventive care access and a reduction in emergency room visits among target populations. However, persistent disparities and coverage gaps remain, indicating ongoing needs for policy refinement and targeted interventions (Long & Wenzlow, 2019).

Conclusion

The ACA exemplifies a federal policy enacted to promote social justice through expanding healthcare access and reducing disparities among marginalized groups. Its historical development reflects the broader struggle against systemic inequalities rooted in racial and socioeconomic discrimination. While the law has achieved notable successes, ongoing political and systemic barriers continue to challenge its full potential. To advance social justice, continuous policy evaluation, community engagement, and targeted reforms are essential. Analyzing such policies allows social workers and policymakers to identify strengths and gaps, informing efforts toward a more equitable society.

References

  • Artiga, S., Orgera, K., & Pham, O. (2019). Disparities in health and health care: Five key questions and answers. Kaiser Family Foundation.
  • Blavin, F., Ramos, J., & Hanoch, Y. (2019). The effects of the Affordable Care Act on insurance coverage among low-income populations. Journal of Health Economics, 67, 102-112.
  • Bleich, S. N., et al. (2019). Impact of the Affordable Care Act on health equity. American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 405-407.
  • Long, S. K., & Wenzlow, A. T. (2019). Medicaid expansion and disparities in health insurance coverage. Health Affairs, 38(2), 180-188.
  • Sommers, B. D., et al. (2017). Changes in health insurance coverage and access to care for vulnerable populations after the ACA. JAMA, 317(8), 813-824.
  • United States Congress. (2010). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Public Law 111-148.

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