Exam 2

Question 1

Reconciliation

Answer 1

Procedure through which fiscal bills that do not increase long-term deficits can circumvent the filibuster (only majority needed)
* Used to pass ACA in 2010

Question 2

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Answer 2

Under Nixon, national government takes over state-run programs, expanded administrative responsibilities of the robust Social Security Administration to add compensation for disabled, working-age people

Question 3

AARP

Answer 3

Large interest group (~38 million members) representing Medicare recipients

Question 4

Dependency Ratio

Answer 4

Measures the relationship between supply and demand on the Social Security system (dependents : workers)

Question 5

Single-payer System

Answer 5

Health care financing approach where only one source pays providers (ex. UK NHS)
* Praised for simplicity, criticized as “socialized medicine”

Question 6

401(k) Plan

Answer 6

An employer-sponsored, defined-contribution plan
* Established in 1978 through changes in tax code
* Cheaper for employers than defined-benefit, very popular

Question 7

American Association for Labor Legislation

Answer 7

In early 1900s argued that compulsory health insurance would enhance worker security
* Operated at the state level
* Campaign was defeated state after state, unified and defined interests of opposing groups (business, insurance, medical profession)

Question 8

Medicare + Choice

Answer 8

Medicare Part C or “Medicare Advantage”
* Established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997
* Opened Medicare to private plans

Question 9

Pay-as-you-go System

Answer 9

Money contributed in payroll taxes today is distributed to current retirees

Question 10

“Doughnut Hole”

Answer 10

Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Part D) created an intentional gap in prescription drug coverage ($2,250-$5,100 annual)
* Addressed as part of the ACA

Question 11

Defined-benefit Pensions

Answer 11

Promise a predetermined amount at fixed intervals untile death, based on length of job tenure and earnings (employer assumes risk)
* Characterized by vesting, common in unions

Question 12

“Harry and Louise” Ads

Answer 12

Ads in response to Clinton’s Health Security Act, heightened public uneasiness
* Later returned in support of Obama’s ACA

Question 13

Individual Mandate

Answer 13

Provision in the ACA stating that all citizens must have health insurance coverage
* Very polarizing (constitutionality)
* Supported by AMA because access to new customers

Question 14

Health Care Exchanges

Answer 14

Provision under the Affordable Care Act, allows people and small businesses to shop for insurance
* Can be administered at the state level (ex. MNsure)
* Appeals to conservative beliefs in competition

Question 15

Health Security Act

Answer 15

Health reform proposal under Clinton in 1992, goal was to provide universal health coverage without mention of taxes
* Managed competition within a budget, coverage via employer contributions
* Stalled in committee, never voted on

Question 16

National Health Service

Answer 16

Single-payer system in the UK in which the government employs many medical personnel, runs hospitals, and plays a key role in medical education

Question 17

Townsend Movement

Answer 17

Social movement that pressured the federal government to act on impoverished elderly during Great Depression
* Led by Dr. Francis E. Townsend, unemployed doctor in Long Beach, CA
* Proposed the Townsend Old Age Revolving Pension Plan

Question 18

Payroll Tax

Answer 18

Determines eligibility for Social Security (roots of “deservedness” of benefits, highlights path-dependence)
* 6.2% up to $160,200
* Secure source of funds

Question 19

Greenspan Commission

Answer 19

Appointed in 1981 to reform Social Security, report was the basis for the amendments in 1983
* The “Gang of Nine” reached a secret agreement in 1983, excluded most ideological members of the Commission, passed reform by 12-3 vote

Question 20

Defined-contribution Pensions

Answer 20

Benefits are determined by how much is contributed and how much interest is earned (ex. 401(k))
* Contributions by employers/workers
* Do not promise a specific level of benefits

Question 21

Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003

Answer 21

• “Medicare Part D”
• Established the “doughnut hole” in coverage for prescription drugs annually from $2250 to $5100

Question 22

Townsend Old Age Revolving Pension Plan

Answer 22

• Proposed by Dr. Francis Townsend in during the Great Depression
• $200/mo. for retired citizens which they need to spend within 30 days
• Financed by national sales tax, promote economic growth and reduce poverty among elderly

Question 23

Jacob Hacker

Answer 23

Described path dependence in policy development when discussing private pension plans

Illustrated the strong opposition to health care reform taken on by doctors and the private health care industry

Argues that preconditioning, along with group politics and the suffering economic context justify the passage of the ACA

Question 24

Christopher Howard

Answer 24

Argues against the conventional wisdom of the power of the AARP interest group, states that many of its members do not follow the political standing of the group

Question 25

Martha Derthick

Answer 25

Described the history of the Social Security Administration as a competent and strong body

Question 26

Béland and Waddan

Answer 26

Argued that the “deservedness” discourse of Social Security helped to establish its strict path dependence and the notion of the “third rail”

Question 27

Charles Phelps

Answer 27

Holds that the health care industry is entirely for profit, and the provisions of employer health insurance in reality cut into the salaries of employees

Question 28

Jill Quadagno

Answer 28

The classical liberal political culture in the US largely prevents large-scale changes to health care from occurring, outlines the numerous veto players and points in the policymaking process

Quadagno also outlines the relevant stakeholders and prospects for reform given the strong opposition

Question 29

Lawrence Jacobs

Answer 29

Argues that an unmovitvated voting population and highly motivated private interest helps to preserve the status quo in the US health care system

Asks why the ACA was able to succeed where others failed

Question 30

Suzanne Mettler

Answer 30

Advocate of the submerged state, emphasis on what was explained to the public and what was actually included in the ACA, primarily concerning the sway of private interest groups

Question 31

Altman and Frist

Answer 31

Focus on the fact that Medicare and Medicaid represent 39% of national health spending, serve as an indicator for the rest of the industry

Question 32

Jonathan Oberlander

Answer 32

Critic of the argument to “voucherize” Medicare, counters with the claim that Medicare is already voucherized and partially privatized