Week 6 Developing Policy Proposals Early In The Process
Week 6 Developing Policy Proposalsearly In The Process Policy Advoca
Developing an effective policy proposal is a balancing act that requires careful planning, from specifying content, getting sponsors, establishing a style, framing an approach strategy, making the most effective use of resources and the media, to having a back-up plan if your policy proposal is blocked.
In Week 6, you meet two individuals who are coping with social issues that require attention. You create a policy proposal for one of these individuals that will impact the situation he or she faces. You also develop Part 2 of the Project you began in Week 3. You analyze a social policy created and implemented to address the social problem identified in Part 1 of your Project.
Students will: Create policy proposals, Analyze policy proposals, Evaluate approaches to social issues in policy work, Create proposal for social advocacy, Apply social advocacy skills, Evaluate long-term impact of policy practice and advocacy.
In this Discussion, create a policy proposal that will impact the situations faced by either Jose or Iris. Describe the trade-offs you used to develop your proposal. To prepare: Review "Trade-Offs: Systematically Comparing Policy Options in Step 3" in Chapter 8. By Day 3, post a brief summary of the policy proposal and its purpose based on either Jose’s or Iris’s situation and the trade-offs you used to develop your proposal. Support your post with specific references to this week's resources. Provide full APA citations for additional articles used.
Paper For Above instruction
In this paper, I will develop a policy proposal aimed at addressing the social issue faced by Iris, an elderly individual struggling with aging and loss of independence. The goal of this proposal is to advocate for a comprehensive long-term care system that provides flexibility, affordability, and community-based options, thus improving Iris's quality of life and ensuring she receives appropriate support during her later years.
The social issue at hand is the lack of accessible and affordable long-term care options for aging populations. As Iris’s case exemplifies, many elderly individuals face significant challenges in planning for long-term care, and existing policies such as Medicare, Medicaid, and programs like Meals on Wheels are often hampered by funding shortages and bureaucratic delays. The purpose of this policy proposal is to establish a sustainable and equitable long-term care insurance system that pre-finances care costs, minimizes reliance on institutional care, and promotes aging in place (Jansson, 2018).
Development and Rationale of the Policy Proposal
The core of this proposal advocates for creating a mandatory social insurance program specifically for long-term care, funded through payroll taxes or premiums paid by individuals and employers. This approach resembles the social insurance models utilized in countries like Germany and Japan, which have successfully integrated long-term care coverage into their social safety nets (Midgley & Livermore, 2008). The trade-offs involved include increased taxes on working populations versus the benefit of reducing reliance on underfunded Medicaid programs and easing the financial burden on families and individuals in old age.
The trade-offs I considered, based on Jansson’s (2018) framework, involve balancing affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. Higher contributions to social insurance may be required, which could be a concern for lower-income workers. However, this ensures a broader and more predictable funding source for care services. Conversely, focusing solely on private insurance options may benefit wealthier individuals but exacerbate disparities and leave vulnerable populations without adequate support. The policy aims to ensure universal coverage and incorporate a range of services, including home care, community-based services, and institutional options, based on individual needs and preferences.
Implementation Strategies and Expected Outcomes
The implementation would involve federal legislation mandating participation and establishing administrative agencies to manage the fund, evaluate needs, and coordinate services. Public awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement are critical to navigating political opposition and ensuring equitable implementation. Additionally, to address potential resistance from industries and policymakers concerned with increased taxes, the proposed policy emphasizes long-term savings by reducing costly institutional care and emergency services (Stuart, 1999).
Expected outcomes include increased access to quality care in familiar settings, improved quality of life for seniors like Iris, and enhanced community integration. Moreover, the policy would alleviate the financial strain on families and reduce the future burden on Medicaid, thus creating a more sustainable model of aging support (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2013).
Conclusion and Long-Term Impact
This policy proposal aligns with evidence-based practices advocating for preventive, community-based, and person-centered care models. Long-term, continued advocacy and policy refinement are necessary to adapt to demographic shifts and technological advancements, ensuring that the aging population receives dignified and comprehensive support. Social workers’ responsibility extends beyond individual client support to systemic advocacy, shaping policies that uphold social justice and equitable access to essential services (Norman, 2013; Stuart, 1999).
References
- Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Brooks/Cengage Learning.
- Midgley, J., & Livermore, M. M. (2008). The handbook of social policy (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
- Norman, J. (2013). The aging population: A crisis in plain sight. Healthbeat Journal.
- Plummer, S., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. (2013). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Laureate International Universities Publishing.
- Stuart, P. H. (1999). Linking clients and policy: Social work’s distinctive contribution. Social Work, 44(4), 335–347.