Policy analysis and recommendation | Human Resource Management homework help

PolicyAnalysisandRecommendationInstructions.docx

Assignment Description

This is the final assignment for the course. Part of this assignment is a compilation of all previous assignments, revised according to your instructor's feedback. All the course assignments will be combined to create a policy analysis report. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze the extent to which your chosen policy addresses the social justice issue concerning your chosen population and to make recommendations.

If you need additional support in completing this assignment, it may be useful to consult the following:

· Evidence and APA.

· How Do I Find Peer-Reviewed Articles?

· What Is Scholarly?

· NASW Code of Ethics located on the Assignment Resources reading list.

· Social Work Masters Program (MSW) Library Guide.

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following CSWE EPAS competencies and practice behaviors:

· Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.

· C3.GP.B: Demonstrate cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences.

· Related assignment criteria:

1. Analyze the social justice issue and its connection to the chosen population, including addressing cultural values, privilege, and power.

2. Analyze the chosen policy and its connection to the social justice problem and the targeted population.

· Competency 5: Engage in policy practice.

· C5.GP.A: Use social justice, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lenses to assess how social welfare policies affect the delivery of and access to social services.

· Related assignment criteria:

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy, including addressing issues with policy design, implementation practices, and external constraints that inhibit effectiveness.

2. Draw conclusions about the continuing effectiveness of the policy.

3. Analyze the historical issues and context leading up to and including the development of the policy.

4. Evaluate the feasibility of the policy from political, economic, and administrative perspectives.

5. Provide recommendations to improve the policy or to replace it with alternative solutions, including a plan for advocacy and implementation.

Assignment Instructions

As noted above, revise the work you have done in the Policy Selection and Background (Week 4) and Policy Analysis (Week 6) assignments to develop a complete analysis. Additionally, this final submission includes recommendations you would make regarding future changes to the policy to improve its effectiveness in addressing the social justice issue for the chosen population.

For your final version, include the following sections:

Introduction

Body of Paper

Address the following, based on revising the assignments you submitted previously:

· Analyze the social justice issue and its connection to the chosen population, addressing cultural values, privilege, and power.

· Analyze the chosen policy and its connection to the social justice problem and the targeted population.

· Analyze the historical issues and context leading up to, and including, the development of the policy.

· Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy, including addressing issues with policy design, implementation practices, and external constraints that inhibit effectiveness.

· Evaluate the feasibility of the policy from political, economic, and administrative perspectives.

Conclusion

· Provide a brief summary of the current state of the policy's implementation in regard to the chosen social justice issue and target population.

· Draw conclusions based on your analysis about the continuing effectiveness of the policy. What have been the policy's strengths and weaknesses, and how might these look going forward? Cite specific examples to support your analysis.

Recommendations

· Provide recommendations to improve the policy or to replace it with alternative solutions, including a plan for how you will advocate for these changes. Should the policy be replaced, modified, or extended upon?

· Justify your recommendations for new policies or revisions with a detailed rationale.

· Describe how the new or revised policy for the chosen population will be implemented into policy planning and action.

Guidelines

Review the Policy Analysis and Recommendations rubric for information on how your work will be graded.

Additional Requirements

The assignment you submit is expected to meet the following requirements:

· Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.

· APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards.

· Parts of the paper: Include a title page, table of contents, body of paper, references, and running headers.

· Cited resources: A minimum of eight scholarly sources. Most literature cited should be current, with publication dates within the past five years.

· Length of paper: 12–16 typed, double-spaced pages.

· Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

· Due date: Assignment must be submitted to your instructor in the courseroom no later than Sunday, 11:59 p.m. CST, this week.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

· Competency 1: Use social justice, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lenses to assess how social welfare policies affect the delivery of and access to social services. (C5.GP.A)

· Evaluate the effectiveness of the policy, including addressing issues with policy design, implementation practices, and external constraints that inhibit effectiveness. (C5.GP.A)

· Evaluate the feasibility of the policy from political, economic, and administrative perspectives. (C5.GP.A)

· Draw conclusions about the continuing effectiveness of the policy. (C5.GP.A)

· Provide recommendations to improve the policy or to replace it with alternative solutions, including a plan for advocacy and implementation. (C5.GP.A)

· Competency 2: Demonstrate cultural humility by applying critical reflection, self-awareness, and self-regulation to manage the influence of bias, power, privilege, and values in working with clients and constituencies, acknowledging them as experts of their own lived experiences. (C3.GP.B)

· Analyze the social justice issue and its connection to the chosen population, including addressing cultural values, privilege, and power. (C3.GP.B)

· Analyze the chosen policy and its connection to the social justice problem and the targeted population. (C3.GP.B)

· Analyze the historical issues and context leading up to and including the development of the policy. (C5.GP.A)

· Competency 3: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession.

· Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of the social work profession, referencing at least eight scholarly sources.

PolicySelectionandBackgroundpaper.docx

2

Policy Selection and Background

Taliegha Carter

Capella University

SWK5002

Prof. Katti Carlson

8/9/26

Policy Selection and Background

Disparities in health remain one of the most crucial issues related to social justice in the USA. Poor people and racial minorities continue to have difficulties in accessing high-quality services that can be afforded. Therefore, the members of these disadvantaged communities experience worse health conditions and increased risks of chronic diseases as well as mortality compared to other citizens. There exist several reasons for such an inequality, such as poverty, racism, insufficient health insurance, discrimination, and access barriers. Social work practitioners have an important role in advocating for the implementation of appropriate policies. One of them is the Affordable Care Act. The present paper focuses on the analysis of this policy and its impact on health disparities. This paper provides an analysis of this act by considering its goals, services, relation to health inequities, history, and influence of historical factors on the act.

Purpose of the Affordable Care Act

Affordable Care Act (ACA) became a law in 2010 and was enacted with the objective of making health care accessible and affordable in the US. Prior to the ACA, there were many people in America who lacked health insurance due to its costly nature and availability issues (Ortaliza et al., 2024). Moreover, insurance companies had the option of denying health insurance to individuals with preexisting medical conditions as well as charging them high rates of premiums. These barriers delayed medical treatment and contributed to poorer health outcomes, especially among low-income individuals and racial and ethnic minority populations.

The ACA was designed to increase health insurance coverage while improving the quality of healthcare services. One of its primary goals was to reduce financial barriers that prevented individuals from seeking medical care (Ortaliza et al., 2024). The law expanded Medicaid eligibility in participating states, created Health Insurance Marketplaces that provide subsidized insurance plans, and prohibited insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions. The ACA also requires most health plans to cover preventive services such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, annual wellness visits, and prenatal care without additional out-of-pocket costs. These reforms encourage early diagnosis, disease prevention, and better management of chronic illnesses.

Programs and Services Provided Through the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act established a handful of initiatives designed to enhance health services to underserved groups. The most pivotal policy is Medicaid expansion, which offers health coverage to adults whose income is less than or equal to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (KFF, 2025). This program is largely for adults who have previously made too much to be eligible for Medicaid but were unable to afford a private health insurance plan.

The other major program is the Health Insurance Marketplace. Individuals and families can afford private insurance coverage using premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions. These subsidies have made health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans (McGough et al., 2026).

The ACA also increased preventive health care benefits, forcing most health care insurance plans to cover preventive care services such as cancer screenings and immunizations, annual physical exams, prenatal care, counseling, and health screenings without imposing any added costs on the patient. These services identify health conditions at the earliest opportunity and enhance long-term health results.

The law also bolstered Community Health Centers, offering a comprehensive suite of medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and other services in underserved neighborhoods. These facilities treat many patients who lack the financial means, and racial and ethnic minority populations who may or may not be able to pay. The ACA also added more mothers to receive health care, behavioral and mental health care and treatment, and more affordable access to prescription drugs. These initiatives enhance access to health care and health management of chronic conditions.

Connection Between the Affordable Care Act and Health Inequities

Health inequities have affected low-income communities and people of color for many years. Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and maternal mortality are more common in these populations than in wealthier populations, and preventable hospitalizations are higher in these populations. Poor health transitions are tightly related to poverty, limited insurance, limited provider availability, transportation, social inequities (discrimination), and more.

The Affordable Care Act takes steps to remove many of these obstacles by increasing access and coverage of health services. People with insurance are more likely to get preventive care, regular medical checkups, and are also more likely to obtain prescription drugs and medical care for chronic diseases. Earlier diagnosis and treatment lead to better health outcomes and a decrease in unnecessary hospitalizations.

The ACA has been shown to promote higher enrollment of adults in Medicaid and more access to primary care among the uninsured population since its enactment (Olateju et al., 2024). The coverage for many racial and ethnic minorities has also improved with insurance coverage. However, disparities remain because Medicaid expansion is optional for states, leaving many low-income adults without affordable coverage in states that chose not to expand the program.

Historical Issues and Context That Led to Policy Development

Health inequities have affected the United States for many decades. Structural racism, poverty, residential segregation, unequal employment opportunities, and limited access to healthcare have contributed to persistent disparities. Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), millions of Americans lacked health insurance because private coverage was expensive or unavailable through employers. Insurance companies could also deny coverage to individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. These barriers limited access to preventive care and treatment, particularly for low-income communities and people of color. As a result, these populations experienced higher rates of chronic disease, preventable hospitalizations, and premature death.

Growing concerns about rising healthcare costs and the increasing number of uninsured Americans led Congress to pursue comprehensive healthcare reform. During the administration of President Barack Obama, lawmakers introduced the Affordable Care Act to expand health insurance coverage and improve healthcare access. Congressional leaders, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, played key roles in advancing the legislation.

The ACA received strong political support from Democratic lawmakers but significant opposition from most Republican legislators. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 60 to 39 in December 2009. The House of Representatives passed the legislation by a vote of 219 to 212 on March 21, 2010. President Obama signed the ACA into law on March 23, 2010. The legislation became the largest healthcare reform enacted in the United States since Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965.

Impact of Historical Influences on Policy Implementation

Factors such as historical, political, and economic factors have continued to affect the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The expansion of Medicaid has resulted in the provision of health insurance to many Americans. Health insurance has been able to increase access to preventive services, primary care, maternal health services, behavioral health services, and management of chronic diseases. These improvements have contributed to better health outcomes and earlier treatment for many individuals.

Despite these successes, implementation remains uneven across the United States. Residents of states that did not expand Medicaid often experience coverage gaps because they earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid but too little to receive Marketplace subsidies. This situation disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color, limiting the ACA's ability to reduce healthcare disparities nationwide.

Health inequities are also influenced by factors beyond insurance coverage. Many underserved communities continue to experience shortages of healthcare providers, hospitals, and behavioral health services. Transportation barriers, language differences, housing instability, and discrimination within healthcare settings further reduce access to quality care. These challenges demonstrate that expanding insurance coverage alone cannot eliminate health disparities.

Conclusion

The Affordable Care Act has significantly improved healthcare access for low-income communities and people of color by expanding insurance coverage, increasing preventive services, and strengthening consumer protections. These reforms have reduced financial barriers and improved the management of chronic diseases for many vulnerable populations. However, health inequities continue because of unequal Medicaid expansion, provider shortages, structural racism, transportation barriers, and other social determinants of health. Addressing these challenges requires continued policy reform and stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations. Social workers have an essential role in advocating for equitable healthcare policies, reducing systemic barriers, and promoting health equity for underserved populations across the United States.

References

Fein, E. C., Gilmour, J., Machin, T., & Hendry, L. (2022). Section 3.3: Independent T-test assumptions, interpretation, and write up. Usq.Pressbooks.Pub. https://usq.pressbooks.pub/statisticsforresearchstudents/chapter/independent-t-test-assumptions/

Fitriasari, N., Prayitno, H., Puspandari, D. A., & Utarini, A. (2025). Factors influencing cost awareness in hospitals: A scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 1570–1570. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13476-0

KFF. (2025). Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions | KFF. In KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/

Martha, D. S., & Martha, N. P. (2024). The importance of statistics in medical healthcare. International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology, 12(8), 303–304. https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2024.63920

McGough, M., Ortaliza, J., Lo, J., & Cox, C. (2026). Marketplace consumers just over the “subsidy cliff” made uP 3% of sign-ups but 27% of the drop in ACA marketplace coverage from 2025. In KFF. https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/what-we-know-so-far-about-2026-aca-marketplace-enrollment-premiums-and-deductibles/

Olateju, O. A., Shen, C., & Thornton, J. D. (2024). The affordable care act and income-based disparities in healthcare coverage and spending among non-elderly adults with cancer. Health Affairs Scholar, 2(5). https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae050

Ortaliza, J., McGough, M., & Cox, C. (2024). The affordable care act 101 | KFF. In KFF. https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/health-policy-101-the-affordable-care-act/