Politics and economics regulate public access to healthcare and the allocation of government financing and resources. Political uncertainty and economic instability negatively impact the healthcare system and the health of the nation (Laureate Education, 2010). Financial incentives for mothers, such as cash grants, might improve the health of low-income families by providing access to adequate nutrition and housing. Poor people in Mexico tend to minimize their use of healthcare services despite serious health concerns. Mothers were intentionally selected as grant recipients, as social science research revealed that women spend more money on children’s welfare and needs than men (Levine, 2007). The case study of the Progresa/Oportunidades program demonstrates that governmental policies are essential for the economic support of vulnerable populations, especially in poverty-driven rural regions. However, the introduction of monetary incentives directly provided to mothers might lead to considerable social problems. For instance, cash transfer programs can discourage people from finding employment or encourage poor families to have more children.
The program included the selection criteria for intended participants to minimize the waste of resources on unqualifying individuals. The 3-tier targeting strategy was based on the “marginality index,” considering illiteracy levels, living conditions, and employment in agriculture (Levine, 2007, p. 68). The first tier of the program used stereotyped concepts of impoverished agricultural workers, the second tier included the evaluation of per capita income, while the third tier employed subjective feedback from community members. As a result, the resources were not always ethically distributed, as the initiative ignored some poor families living in rural areas without access to public services. Overall, the program might be changed and improved by introducing objective poverty indicators to ensure a fair allocation of resources. Additionally, the outcomes of financial support should be regularly monitored to optimize the impact of the program on the health of low-income populations.
If the Progresa/Oportunidades program were to be discontinued, as a nurse, I would conduct evidence-based research to collect data reflecting the positive impact of the program. Alternatively, I would advocate for establishing a non-profit organization to support the program via volunteering and public donations. In Philadelphia, the closure of safety-net hospitals, such as the 496-bed Hahnemann University Hospital, created significant barriers to access to quality healthcare (Kamel et al., 2020). Therefore, I am confident that programs like Progresa/Oportunidades are vital for any community where vulnerable populations need governmental support to obtain healthcare services.
References
Kamel, S. I., Zoga, A. C., Randolph, F., Rao, V. M., & Desai, V. (2020). Impact of the Closure of a Large, Urban Safety-Net Hospital on a Neighboring Academic Center: A Philadelphia Case Study. Journal of the American College of Radiology, 17(9), 1123-1129.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2010). Public and global health: Political, ethical, and economical influences on health [Video]. Author.
Levine, R. (2007). Case studies in global health Millions saved. Jones & Bartlett.