Policies Flashcards
USDA Farm Loans
Financial assistance programs provided by the USDA to help farmers start, expand and maintain their operations. The loans are aimed at farmers with families, beginning farmers and those facing financial challenges. Because small or beginning farmers may not have the resources to navigate complex application processes, there are many admin burdens involved. Farmers may have limited financial literacy and the forms contain complicated jargon and are not accessible. Farmers must maintain detailed financial and operational records as well as meet many environmental and conservation standards to qualify. Fear of making mistakes in the paperwork, the drive to their local(not so local) USDA office. Farmers often filled out the incorrect form(took multiple days off farming).
Administrative burdens, learning costs, compliance costs, psychological costs
Paperwork Reduction Act
Law designed to minimize the burden of federal paperwork on individuals and businesses; they wanted to reduce compliance costs associated with government information collection requirements. It states that federal agencies must assess and justify the need for any new paperwork as well as regularly evaluate the efficiency of their methods.
Administrative burdens, learning costs, compliance costs, psychological costs
SNAP
A program that provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to help them afford food. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Benefits are distributed via an EBT card that can purchase eligible food items at eligible retailers.
Public problem, means-tested program, in-kind benefits
WIC
Federal assistance program aimed at promoting health and nutrition of low-income pregnant women, new mothers and children up to age 5. It provides supplemental food, health care referrals, and nutrition education. Nutrient-rich foods can be bought with an EBT card at approved stores. Participants receive education on nutrition as well as breastfeeding support.
Means-tested program, in-kind benefits, “deserving” poor
Medicaid
Joint federal and state program that provides health insurance to low income individuals. States have different eligibility rules, expanded by ACA in certain states to cover more low-income adults.
Entitlement program, means-tested, Federalism, Path dependence, “deserving” poor
Child Tax Credit
Federal tax benefit designed to help families with the cost of raising children. It provides financial relief to taxpayers with qualifying dependent children and is aimed at reducing child poverty.
Means-tested, average tax credit, marginal tax credit
EITC
Federal tax credit designed to assist low income working individuals, particularly those with dependents. It encourages employment by offering a financial incentive to work, as refundable credits increase with more working hours(it is based off of income).
Public problem, Means-tested, “deserving” poor
No Child Left Behind Act
Aimed at improving educational outcomes for all students, particularly those from disadvantaged communities. NCLB introduced stringent accountability measures for schools. It required the, to meet specific performance benchmarks and if they did not, they would face consequences like restructuring. The act mandated standardized testing and the report of test scores disaggregated by race, income, and disability to identify achievement gaps.
Racism(structural/systemic)
No Sugar Daddies Risk Awareness
A program in Kenya that aims to educate young women about the risks associated with relationships with sugar daddies. Workshops and seminars provided information about risks. A 10 minute video about the risks significantly reduced the number of girls involved in relationships with older men. Focused on STI education, financial literacy, and empowerment.
Randomized Control Trial/Causal Inference, Political framing, generalizability, mechanisms
Sin Taxes in the Philippines
Taxes imposed on goods deemed harmful to health or society(tobacco and alcohol). Aimed to both reduce consumption and raise revenue to repair the healthcare system in the Philippines at the time. Leads to reduced consumption and lots of revenue to help provide equitable access to quality healthcare.
Stakeholders, political framing, generalizability, mechanisms
Social Security Act
Established unemployment insurance, old-age benefits for workers, and various welfare programs to support vulnerable populations. It was created as a response to the Great Depression to create a social safety net by offering financial assistance to workers who lost their jobs and disability insurance.
Policy “window”, Path dependence(has been modified but changes are built on the existing system because many powerful stakeholders have a vested interest in keeping the process the same.)
American Rescue Plan Act
Designed to provide comprehensive economic relief and support in response to COVID-19. It provided stimulus checks(with additional bonuses for each dependent), unemployment benefits, CTC expansion, support for small businesses, and healthcare provisions(more funding for vax distribution and made ACA coverage more affordable).
Federalism, Human capital, policy “window”
Clinton Health Security Act
NOT PASSED- aimed to provide universal healthcare coverage, control rising healthcare costs, and improve quality of care. It wanted to make it mandatory for employers to provide health insurance(or pay a tax if not) and set limits on healthcare spending.
Moral hazard, universal program
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF)
Federal assistance program designed to provide financial support and services to low income families with children. It provides temporary cash assistance to low income families to help meet their basic needs(amount varies based on state). There are limits on cash assistance and recipients are typically required to engage in work or work-related activities in order to be eligible.
Samaritan’s Dilemma, Compliance
IDEA
Federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education that meets their unique needs. Each eligible child must have an IEP which outlines specific, personalized education goals. it mandates that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment possible(integrated with peers).
Street-level bureaucrats, Compliance, “know-do” gap, accountability
ACA
AKA Obamacare. Healthcare reform law aimed at expanding healthcare coverage, reducing healthcare costs, and improving the quality of care. It established health insurance marketplaces(where individuals can compare and purchase plans) and expanded Medicaid eligibility. It prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
Political framing
