Policy Making for Health Care, the Environment and Energy

Health Care Policy The Health of Americans Americans generally lag behind other similar countries in some key health statistics. Most significantly, Americans have a lower life expectancy and higher infant mortality rate America spends more than any other country.

Health Care Policy Access to Health Care Health Insurance. Millions of Americans have no health insurance. Health insurance is usually linked to having a job. About 20 million Americans have inadequate health insurance.

Health Care Policy Access to Health Care Managed Care. HMOs provide health care for a yearly fee through contracts or insurance companies. About 60 percent of Americans are covered by HMOs Designed to reduce costs through oversight and limiting patient choices.

Health Care Policy The Role of Government in Health Care Medicare: provides hospitalization insurance for elderly and optional coverage for other medical expenses. Medicaid: a public assistance program to provide health care for the poor. Paid for by the national and state governments.

Clinton and Health Care Reform Several taxes would have increased, all of which were opposed by those who would pay them. States were to negotiate with providers and handle premiums, plans and payments. The health care industry lobbied hard against it. It eventually died in Congress, even though Democrats controlled both houses of Congress.

ACA/Obamacare Requires insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions Requires Americans to purchase health insurance/single payer provision The Supreme Court upheld Obamacare under the government’s taxation power

Environmental Policy Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Impact Statements: report that specifies likely environmental impact of a proposed action- filed with the EPA.U Environmental Impact Statements by environmental groups to challenge and delay projects they object to. Clean Air Act of 1970: reduce auto pollution.

Environmental Policy Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 Intended to clean up the nation’s rivers and lakes, requiring the use of pollution control technology Has helped reclaim numerous rivers and lakes since its passage. But it misses “runoff” pollution from city streets and other areas.

Environmental Policy Wilderness Preservation. The U.S. is a world leader in wilderness preservation. The national parks and national forests may be restricted to keep them for future generations. Endangered Species Act Government protects those species listed as endangered, regardless of costs. This prevents development.

Environmental Policy Toxic Wastes Chemicals and nuclear fuel that are hazardous to humans and animals. Superfund: created in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. Some sites are completely clean, others may never be clean enough to use for anything. Current law requires tracking of hazardous chemicals and their disposal.

Energy Policy Sources of Energy

Energy Policy 87% of the nation’s energy comes from coal, oil and natural gas. The most controversial energy source is nuclear, especially after the earthquake in Japan. Policymakers have shown more interest in conservation, alternative fuels and renewable fuel sources.