Week 5

Part II:Course Project

By: Ameki Lee

MPA6501  SU01  State and Local Government and Internal Government Relation

Dr. White

09/05/2018

Just as indicated in the part one of the assignment, the implementation of the affordable care policy in all states within the US are pegged on both the federal current constitution and the constitutions of the specific states.in this particular assignment, the implementation of affordable care act policy would be based on the constitution of my state which is Louisiana State. Louisiana State is the 31 most extensive and the 25th most populous state within the country and has its largest city base in New Orleans. Louisiana State uses the constitution of 1974 which described the distribution of powers between the federal government, state official and the local governments. (Tarr, 2000)

The affordable care act policy is addressed in the Louisiana State constitution under the former healthcare policies that existed before such as Medicare and Medicaid programs in the country. Just as provided in the federal constitution regarding the powers and responsibility of the state, Louisiana State constitution provides that it would be the responsibility of the state to provide healthcare services to its citizens in conjunction with the local authorities. The affordable care policy is not directly addressed in the constitution though it has been implemented under other policies that exist in the constitution such as Medicare and Medicaid programs. The constitution of Louisiana State has majorly vested this particular policy in the executive arm of the state government. (Tarr, 2000)

The affordable care act policy was an act of the federal congress which indicates that it is applicable in all states within the united states of america.in my own perception, dealing with the affordable care policy would majorly revolve around legislative process instead of constitutional approach. This indicates that if there is any amendment that is supposed to be effected on the affordable care act policy, then it should take the direction of the legislative process by the members of the congress in the country which would in turn affect its implementation in all states that includes Louisiana State. (Huntington, et al, 2011)

The affordable care act policy has majorly been a topic that has received support and at the same time equal criticism. The policy was majorly adopted to increase healthcare quality at affordable cost. It aimed at increasing the number of citizens who had healthcare insurance hence subjecting them to affordable care. Many citizens allied to the democrat party within the Louisiana State have been known to be the main supporters of this particular policy. They have majorly argued that since inception of this policy in 2010, the healthcare sector has experienced tremendous implications of positive dimensions. (Huntington, et al, 2011)

On the other hand, this particular policy has also received a lot of controversy and criticisms majorly from legislators and citizens who are allied to the Democratic Party within Louisiana State. The opponents of this program have majorly argued that the federal government has imposed harsh taxation measures on their citizens in a bid to recover funds to support this program. This they have opined that has increased healthcare cost which is an irony as compared to the act provision that provides that it is affordable. The republicans have actually made plans to appeal and replace this act that has majorly been experienced since president assumed power.

In my own examination, I feel the policy ought to have been subjected to public interest before being implemented. The policy actually got its way into being law due to the fact that it was engineered by the then ruling party. The reason why it out to had been subjected to public interest is the fact that it has exposed us citizens to high taxation and high cost of living. The public could have had chance to give their views and its adoption could only be narrowed down to those who supported the same idea.

References

Huntington, W. V., Covington, L. A., Center, P. P., Covington, L. A., & Manchikanti, L. (2011). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010: reforming the health care reform for the new decade. Pain physician, 14(1), E35-E67.

Tarr, G. A. (2000). Understanding state constitutions. Princeton University Press.