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Instructions of NURS-6050N-27 2-1 Discussion Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
POLITICS AND THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.
Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 3
Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the voters views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria.
BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 3
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by expanding on their explanation and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues
Step-By-Step Guide 2-1 Discussion
INTRODUCTION TO NURS-6050N-27 2-1 Discussion Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
This Owlisdom, NURS-6050N-27N-27 2-1 Discussion assignment involves writing a discussion post about how legislators’ focus on reelection influences their decisions on healthcare policies, specifically the efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). You will explore the cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of legislators, the impact of voter views on legislative decisions, and how these factors shape national healthcare policies. Additionally, you will respond to your classmates’ posts by expanding on their explanations or providing alternative perspectives.
Explain how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA.
ANALYZING THE COST-BENEFIT FOR LEGISLATORS
- Discuss the strategic decision-making process of legislators considering reelection.
- Provide examples of how the promise to repeal or support the ACA was used in campaigns.
- Analyze how the public perception of the ACA influenced legislators’ decisions.
Example
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, presents a fascinating case study in how the political motivations of legislators, particularly their focus on reelection, influence policy decisions, especially in the contentious arena of healthcare reform.
Legislators’ primary goal of reelection often shapes their approach to significant policy shifts like those proposed for the ACA. For many, supporting or opposing the ACA was not merely a matter of policy preference, but a strategic decision weighed against the potential cost in votes. For Republicans, efforts to repeal and replace the ACA were driven by a core constituency that viewed the ACA unfavorably, seeing it as an overreach of government authority and a burden on the economy (Bronsther & Krishnamurthi, 2022). The promise to dismantle the ACA became a pivotal campaign pledge for many, particularly during the 2016 elections. Consequently, the repeated attempts to repeal the ACA under the Trump administration were not merely legislative actions but a fulfillment of campaign promises intended to secure voter support for future elections.
The cost-benefit analysis, however, for legislators did not always sway towards repeal. As the ACA embedded itself into the fabric of American healthcare, providing tangible benefits like coverage for pre-existing conditions and allowing young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26, public opinion began to shift more favorably towards the ACA. Many legislators found themselves balancing the immediate benefits their constituents were receiving against the ideological and party-driven goal of overturning the legislation. The conflict was evident in instances where Republican senators from states that benefited significantly from the ACA’s Medicaid expansion hesitated or voted against repeal efforts.
Then, explain how analyses of the voter’s views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected.
IMPACT OF VOTER VIEWS ON LEGISLATIVE DECISIONS
- Analyze the importance of understanding voter demographics and opinions.
- Discuss on how legislators adjust their positions based on voter views and needs.
- Provide examples of how voter views impacted decisions on Medicare or Medicaid.
Example
Analyzing voter views becomes crucial in this context. Legislators must continuously gauge how their actions will align with the needs and opinions of their constituents. For example, decisions affecting Medicare and Medicaid are deeply influenced by the demographics of a legislator’s district (Rocco et al., 2020). In districts with a high proportion of elderly or low-income voters who rely heavily on these programs, strong support for policies that protect or expand Medicare and Medicaid could be a decisive factor for reelection. Conversely, in more affluent or younger districts, the focus might shift towards policies that promote healthcare savings accounts or private healthcare options.
REFERENCES
Brother, J., & Krishnamurthi, G. (2022). Optional Legislation. Minn. L. Rev., 107, 297.
Rocco, P., Keller, A. C., & Kelly, A. S. (2020). State Politics And The Uneven Fate Of Medicaid Expansion: An Examination of mechanisms that affected Medicaid expansion, including Electoral Competition, ballot-box initiatives, interest-group coalitions, and Entrepreneurial Administrators. Health Affairs, 39(3), 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01414
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by expanding on their response and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
RESPONSES
- Respond NURS-6050N-27N-27 2-1 Discussion with at least two classmates on different days.
- Justify your responses with examples, research, and reasoning.
Example
Hello Sasha,
In terms of the political incentives underlying attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, I agree with your view. The fact that lawmakers may be motivated to prioritize short-term political advantages above long-term policy benefits due to the fear of losing their base is an essential factor to consider. A representative illustration of this is the pivotal vote that Senator John McCain cast in 2017 against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. McCain broke ranks with his party, despite the fact that he is a Republican, because he was concerned about the effect that the repeal would have on his people, especially those who would benefit from the Medicaid expansion that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided in Arizona. By highlighting how the perceived cost in votes owing to bad policy outcomes may sometimes outweigh party allegiance and election-driven goals, this act demonstrates how this phenomenon might occur.
Hi Gerry,
You have made an excellent argument regarding the tension that exists between the demands of the party and the advantages of the constituents. The consequences of this dynamic were readily apparent in places such as Ohio, where Republican Governor John Kasich backed the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The choice made by Kasich was predicated on the immediate health advantages that would be provided to the inhabitants of his state, which would result in lower rates of uninsured individuals and improved health outcomes. In spite of the fact that Kasich’s move was received with criticism from inside his own party, it is quite probable that it helped him strengthen his popularity among moderate voters. This demonstrates that people’s requirements may occasionally transcend party boundaries and affect policy choices. The intricacy of healthcare policy is shown by this example, which demonstrates that political costs and benefits must be evaluated against the real health and welfare of constituents prior to making any decisions.
CLOSING
By following NURS-6050N-27 2-1 Discussion guidelines, students can effectively complete the discussion assignment, demonstrate a thorough understanding of the political dynamics behind healthcare policy decisions, and contribute meaningfully to the class dialogue. In the next module of NURS-6050N-27 2-2, we will explore LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY: ADVOCACY STATEMENT.
