Introduction
A helpful tool for examining public policy choices is the May-Can-Should model. It requires thinking about what public servants could do and what they ought to do (video). The May-Can-Should paradigm will be applied to the context of federal policy in this article, especially the Affordable Care Act (ACA), often known as Obamacare.
Policy Analysis
Systematic procedures are used in policy analysis to evaluate policy alternatives and prospective outcomes (Kraft & Furlong, 2017). The federal government has implemented the ACA, a substantial legislative effort that has generated considerable discussion and controversy since its adoption in 2010 (Ercia, 2021). Regardless of their income or pre-existing diseases, the ACA intends to offer affordable health insurance coverage to all Americans.
The Affordable Care Act requires everyone to have health insurance and offers subsidies to help low-income individuals and families purchase coverage. Additionally, it creates new rules for insurance providers, such as mandating that they pay for preventative care treatments devoid of co-pays or deductibles, and it broadens Medicaid eligibility to include more low-income people (Ercia, 2021).
The ACA represents a considerable extension of federal power and control over the healthcare system regarding what the government can accomplish (Buntin, 2020). It requires everyone to have health insurance and increases Medicaid eligibility (McIntyre & Song, 2019). The Supreme Court has confirmed that these acts are lawful and that the government has the authority to manage the health care system in this way.
The ACA supports the Christian viewpoint in terms of what the government ought to accomplish by seeking to give health insurance to all Americans. A Christian perspective on public policy would prioritize societal well-being and the common good, especially for the weak and vulnerable members of society (Monsma, 2008s). It aims to enhance access to affordable coverage and address the imbalances in the present healthcare system. Thus, the ACA follows the Christian worldview as they have connections regarding objectives and values, including helping the vulnerable and serving the common good.
Conclusion
Hence, the Affordable Care Act, which mandates health insurance among the US population and helps poor people acquire it, is an initiative that is, at its core, Christian. As it serves the common good of the broad society and helps its more vulnerable members, it embraces the Christian worldview. To summarize, the ACA positively influences healthcare in the country, and it serves the greater good through the practical utilization of Christian beliefs.
References
Buntin, M. B. (2020). The Affordable Care Act at 10 Years. JAMA Health Forum, 1(7). Web.
Ercia, A. (2021). The impact of the Affordable Care Act on patient coverage and access to care: Perspectives from FQHC administrators in Arizona, California and Texas. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). Web.
Kraft, M. E., & Furlong, S. R. (2017). Public Policy: Politics, Analysis, and Alternatives. CQ Press.
McIntyre, A., & Song, Z. (2019). The US Affordable Care Act: Reflections and directions at the close of a decade. PLOS Medicine, 16(2). Web.
Monsma, S. (2008). Healing for a Broken World: Christian Perspectives on Public Policy. Crossway Books.