Policy Change Proposal Section II
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adams_policy_change_1_3.docxRunning Head: PL 111-140 SECTION 2714 POLICY CHANGE PROPOSAL
PL 111-148 SECTION 2714 POLICY CHANGE PROPOSAL 5
PL 111-148 SECTION 2714 POLICY CHANGE PROPOSAL
Geni Adams
Kaplan University
INTRODUCTION
The public policy problem is that Section 2714 of PL 111-148 does not specify the marital status or the economic condition of the adult children (Cornell University Law School, 2012). The public policy question is should married and economically stable adult children be dependents too. The resolution to the public policy problem is to amend Section 2714 of PL 111-148 so that the only recognized dependents are unmarried adult children who cannot depend on themselves economically.
Legal issues
Considering married and adult children as dependents of the health insurance cover is to some extent unconstitutional. This section fails to recognize that there are other citizens that can benefit from this section of extension of dependent coverage. It is necessary for a case to be presented in court so that necessary amendments can be put in place. The case should push for exclusion of adult children who are economically independent. Citizens above the age of 18 should be encouraged to be independent.
Political issues
The Senate should consider the fact that at the age of 26, a citizen is old enough to engage in an economic activity that can enable them to earn a living. It is important that a bill is tabled in Congress with the aim of amending Section 2714 of PL 111-148. With relevant defending reasons, the amendment will be considered. From a political perspective, encouraging young people to work hard and be independent is a campaign strategy.
Economic issues
The United States has a trillion dollar budget for the health of its citizens (National Priorities, 2015). This implies that the government is spending a lot of resources to make sure that the people are getting proper medical and health attention. Such financial resources can be invested in other projects if the citizens play a role in sponsoring their health welfare. By the age of 26, citizens should at least be engaging in different economic activities; this will go a long way in boosting the country’s economic status.
Social issues
The proposed amendment will reduce the health budget. The excess funds will be used in other projects that will be beneficial to Americans in other ways other than health. The amendment will also make young people more responsible and hard-working because they will be independent. The society will benefit a lot because adult children will be forced to be innovative and create their own jobs that will boost their living standards in the society.
Ethical issues
The ethical principle that supports the passage of the proposed amendment is behavioral and moral improvement in young people. Basically, the amendment is to encourage independence in young people. An independent young person has high behavioral and moral standards. This helps in shaping the society and generally improving the ethics of the nation.
Stakeholders
1. Politicians: They will help in the tabling the proposal for amending the policy.
2. Government: If the proposal is considered there will be a significant reduction the budget.
3. American citizens: The proposal will enable young people to be independent.
4. Judiciary: Will play a role in the legal aspect of the proposed change of policy.
Summary
The section proposed to be amended says: A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage that provides dependent coverage of children shall continue to make such coverage available for an adult child until the child turns 26 years of age. Nothing in this section shall require a health plan or a health insurance issuer described in the preceding sentence to make coverage available for a child of a child receiving dependent coverage (Cornell University Law School, 2012). The amendment would change the section such that the extension would only cover the economically unstable and the unmarried. Socially, the amendment will improve personal responsibilities. Legally, the amendment will be drafted into law. Politically, it is a campaign strategy. Ethically, moral standards will be improved. Economically, the government will spend less on the health budget.
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