Questions you would like to ask Lesson Starter Questions you would like to ask We have been studying inequalities. Write down 3 questions to ask other people in the class about what we have been learning.

Today we will… Examine how the government attempts to help families who are in need. Discuss the pros and cons of these systems.

Success criteria… I will be able to list what the government has done to reduce inequalities.

Government responses to health inequalities Task You will need: A3 paper and pens Make a diagram which shows all the different policies that the US government has introduced to help those who suffer from inequalities. Government responses to health inequalities

TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families TANF is a block grant that provides States, Territories, and native Tribes Federal funds each year. These funds cover benefits and services targeted at needy families. It aims to help needy families with childcare, transportation and other things that will encourage people to find work or help them stay in work. Those behind the program believe that employment rather than benefits is the best route out of poverty.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) When Bush became president in 2000, he believed that too many public schools were failing their students. In response, the then Republican-led Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act 2001. This Act requires schools within each state to reach a certain standard in basic skills if the state is to continue to receive federal funding for education. Bush hoped that by setting high standards in education and better tracking students progress, standards would be forced up.

Affirmative Action What is meant by the term Affirmative Action (A.A.)? A.A. or ‘positive discrimination’ is the name given to a set of programs which aim to reduce inequality in education and employment. Originally introduced to help Black Americans overcome historical disadvantage, A.A. programs today aim to help a range of disadvantaged Americans, including women and with those with disabilities, to access better education and employment.

How Does Affirmative Action Operate? In education A.A. operates by: Outreach Programmes – extra tuition is provided for those students (often Black or Hispanic) from disadvantaged backgrounds. Recruitment and Retention Programmes – funding is provided to assist disadvantaged groups with certain types of career e.g. in science or business management. Universities – would aim to ensure their student intake reflected wider US society i.e. campuses/departments would aim to include minority groups, both genders, disabled students, etc.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2012) This acts invests heavily in education as a way both to provide jobs and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity. The Act provides $77 billion for reforms to strengthen elementary and secondary education. It aims to make improvements in teacher effectiveness and ensure that all schools have highly qualified teachers. It will improve achievement in low performing schools through support and effective interventions.

Responses to Health Inequalities - Obamacare The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010 was introduced to increase the quality and affordability of health insurance, lower the uninsured rate and reduce the costs of healthcare for individuals The law also requires insurance companies to cover all applicants within new minimum standards and offer the same rates regardless of pre-existing conditions or sex. Obamacare - Youtoons

Obamacare Multiple surveys indicate the number of uninsured Americans has fallen due to expanded Medicaid eligibility and health insurance exchanges established due to Obamacare. In July 2014, an additional 9.5 million people aged 19-64 had obtained health insurance, roughly 5% of the working-aged population. The uninsured rate among adults 18 and over fell from 18.0% in 2013 to 13.4% by 2014.