Identify Current Legislation That

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Identify current legislation that impacts human services. Find and describe one piece of legislation for each level: Federal Legislation, State Legislation, and Local Legislation.

Write a 700- to 1,050-word summary discussing one of the laws you found, including the following: analyze the major tenets of the selected legislation; identify strategies human services professionals are required to or should take in advocating for change associated with the legislation; evaluate any ethical implications associated with this advocacy. Format references consistent with appropriate course-level APA guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

Legislation plays a vital role in shaping the landscape of human services by setting legal standards that guide practice, protect client rights, and influence policy development. Understanding the current legislative environment at federal, state, and local levels is essential for human services professionals to advocate effectively and ethically. This essay explores one piece of legislation from each level and provides an in-depth analysis of a selected law, detailing its major principles, advocacy strategies, and ethical considerations.

Federal Legislation: The Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, is a landmark federal law aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare, improving quality, and reducing healthcare disparities. Its core tenets include the expansion of Medicaid, the establishment of health insurance exchanges, mandates for individual coverage, and protections for pre-existing conditions (Gates et al., 2019). The law emphasizes health equity, preventive care, and consumer protections, fundamentally transforming the healthcare system and impacting numerous human services sectors by increasing access to health resources.

State Legislation: California’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)

Passed in 2004, California’s MHSA aims to address mental health needs through innovative funding and service delivery models. The legislation mandates a percentage of state funds to be allocated for community-based mental health programs, emphasizing recovery-oriented care, early intervention, and culturally competent services (State of California Department of Mental Health, 2019). The act empowers local agencies to develop tailored programs, fostering community engagement and improving mental health outcomes within diverse populations.

Local Legislation: New York City’s Fair Workweek Law

Implemented in 2017, NYC’s Fair Workweek Law aims to protect workers in the retail, hospitality, and food services industries from unpredictable schedules. It mandates advance notice of work schedules, limits on schedule changes, and compensation for last-minute amendments (NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, 2020). This law directly impacts human services providers by fostering stable employment conditions, which in turn supports economic stability among vulnerable populations.

Analysis of a Selected Legislation: The Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) represents a comprehensive reform aimed at reducing the uninsured rate, increasing healthcare access, and enhancing quality care. Its major tenets include Medicaid expansion, establishment of health insurance marketplaces, precautionary measures against discriminatory practices, and mandates for everyone to have health coverage (Sommers et al., 2019). These components collectively aimed to make healthcare more equitable and accessible, particularly for marginalized populations, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and minority groups.

The ACA's emphasis on preventive care and mental health parity has profound implications for human services. By removing barriers to insurance and emphasizing early intervention, the law supports a shift from reactive to proactive health management. Human services professionals are typically mandated to inform clients about their rights and available health options, facilitate access to coverage, and advocate for clients with complicated healthcare needs. Skilled advocacy involves educating clients about legal rights, assisting in enrollment processes, and collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care (Blumenthal et al., 2020).

Strategies for advocacy are multifaceted. Professionals should engage in policy advocacy through coalition-building, participating in community education initiatives, and providing expert testimony during legislative hearings. They also need to stay informed about ongoing legislative developments and leverage their expertise to influence policy amendments that promote health equity. Ethical advocacy requires respecting client autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Human services professionals must balance their role as advocates with their duty to uphold client dignity and ensure that actions serve clients’ best interests (National Association of Social Workers, 2017).

Ethical considerations play a critical role in advocacy efforts. Ensuring informed consent, transparency about advocacy motives, and accountability are foundational principles. Advocates must be cautious to avoid imposing personal beliefs onto clients and should prioritize client preferences and needs. Moreover, engaging in advocacy must be done within legal boundaries and with cultural sensitivity, recognizing that legislation may have unintended consequences or marginalize certain groups if not carefully implemented (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018).

The ACA exemplifies a policy that necessitates active, ethical engagement from human services professionals. Through strategic advocacy aligned with ethical principles, professionals can influence policy change, improve health outcomes, and foster social justice within healthcare systems.

References

  • Blumenthal, D., Bond, R., & Murphy, J. (2020). The Affordable Care Act and health equity: Opportunities for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 110(2), 136-139. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305363
  • Gates, E., Beronio, K., & Skopec, L. (2019). Medicaid expansion and health coverage: Evidence from the ACA. Health Affairs, 38(7), 1012–1019. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0577
  • Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H. (2018). Understanding generalist practice. Cengage Learning.
  • National Association of Social Workers. (2017). NASW standards for social work practice with clients with mental health conditions. NASW Press.
  • NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. (2020). Fair Workweek Law. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/about/fair-workweek.page
  • State of California Department of Mental Health. (2019). Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/MH/Pages/MHSA.aspx
  • Sommers, B. D., Gunja, M., Finegold, K., & Musco, T. (2019). Changes in self-reported insurance coverage, access to care, and health under the Affordable Care Act. Jama, 318(19), 1905-1914. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.18369

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