To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato  Pearson Education, 2009  Chapter 17 Domestic Policy

Theories of Public Policy  Elite theory: The chosen few make important decisions  Bureaucratic theory: all institutions are under the bureaucracy and its decisions.  Interest group theory: interest groups control the entire process  Pluralist theory: no single group can ever control all policy

The Policy-Making Process 1. Problem recognition, or identifying a need for change. 2. Agenda setting, or determining the issues to discuss. 3. Policy formulation, or the crafting of proposed action. 4. Policy adoption, or the approval of policy. 5. Budgeting, or identifying funding sources. 6. Policy implementation, or carrying out new policies. 7. Policy evaluation, or determining the effectiveness.

Figure Policy-Making Process  Back

Evolution of Income Security  Before the 1890s, government did little.  Great Depression created a greater need for assistance.  Civil Works and Works Progress Administrations.  Social Security Act represents beginning of welfare state.  Creates Old Age, Survivor, & Disability Insurance (OASDI) program.  Also establishes unemployment assistance.

Non-Means Based Programs Today  Entitlement programs provided regardless of income.  Funded by payroll (FICA) taxes.  Social Security-- old age, survivors, and disability.Social Security  Solvency of the Social Security program is a concern.  Unemployment insurance.Unemployment  Medicare.

Figure Social Security  Back

Means Tested Programs Today  Entitlement programs provided only if individuals qualify.Entitlement programs  SSI, to help needy, aged, or blind.  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).  TANF largely run by the states through block grants.  Earned Income Tax Credits.  Food stamps.  Medicaid.

Welfare Reform Act of 1996  Due to fraudulent claims and a new philosophy of work rather than Welfare dependency, Congress passed and Bill Clinton signed into law the Welfare Reform Act of Single Mothers must work within 2 years of receiving benefits 2.Unmarried Mothers under 18 must live with parents to receive 3.5 year lifetime limit for benefits 4.Mothers must provide information about the child’s father 5.No food stamps or benefits for legal immigrants 6.No food stamps or benefits for convicted drug felons 7.3 month limit for those with no children

Table Welfare Program Recipients  Back

Table Rising Cost of Entitlements  Back

AV- Unemployment Rates  Back

Roots of Health Care Policy  Governments have long advocated for public health.  National health insurance was considered in 1930s.  Failed due to lobbying of American Medical Association.  Government’s role has expanded over time.  No universal healthcare exists

Health Care Programs Today  Government provides care for veterans and Indians.  Sponsors research at National Institutes of Health.  Most people use single-payer private healthcare system.  Costs are rapidly increasing.  Government funds Medicare and Medicaid.  Also plays a major role in public health management.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act seeks to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.

Increasing Health Care Costs 1.More people are living longer 2.Better technology saves more lives and increases costs of physical therapy 3.Expansion of access to health care increases demand 4.Increased health care quality and better trained staff are more expensive 5.U.S. Healthcare focuses more on curing illnesses, rather than preventing them

Figure Health Care Spending  Back

Roots of Energy Policy  By 1970s, U.S. had grown dependent on foreign oil, especially from the Middle East.  OPEC Oil embargoes posed a serious crisis to national security.  Government set conservation and efficiency standards.  Creation of Department of Energy in  1978 Energy Tax Act and National Energy Act to reward energy efficiency and penalize inefficiency.

Roots of Environmental Policy  First Earth Day in  Creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Clean Air Act of 1970 and Clean Water Act of 1972 to establish minimum air and water quality.  Federal policies continue to grow in 1970s.

Policy Hibernation  Energy and Environment fade in 1980s.  Reagan took steps to reduce government’s role.  Petroleum supply became more stable around the world.  Bush Sr and Clinton continue limited involvement.

Return to Prominence  9/11 attacks make energy security a major issue.  Increasing concerns about global warming.  Leads to melting polar ice caps and increasing sea levels  Prolonged droughts  More intense storm systems  Major habitat destruction  Species extinction

Return to Prominence  2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.  Growing interest in alternative energy.  Solar Power  Geothermal  Hydroelectric Power  Electric Cars  Energy Efficiency  New Building standards