Obama’s Health Care Reform 2010: From Change to Concession?

Health care reform as an example for structural resistance of the American political system to needed change

Hausarbeit , 2011 , 20 Seiten , Note: 1,0

Politik - Region: USA

Regarding Obama's health care reform 2010, this paper aims to examine a supposed incongruence of the social democratic ideal of an affordable health care system with the US political system. It tries to shed light into the paradox of an unequal and ineffective health care system on the one hand and strong resistance against any type of reform on the other. Major obstacles in the legislative process, such as the Republican Party and the impact of interest groups, are examined. It should become clear that the neo-liberal ideal of a free market coined by many Republicans, was an important obstacle to Obama’s health care reform. However, much more important was the enormous impact of interest groups, which can be regarded as the main driving forces in hindering smooth legislation.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The US Health Care System Until 2010: Urgency to Reform
• From Change to Concession: Obama's Initial Plan & the Final Reform
  • Obama's Vision: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 and the Public Option
  • Obama's Concession: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act & the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
• The Legislative Process: Major Obstacles to Health Care Reform
  • The Republican Opposition in the Legislative Process
  • The Impact of Interest Groups in the Legislative Process
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the challenges faced by President Obama in implementing health care reform in the United States, focusing on the discrepancies between the social democratic ideal of an affordable health care system and the realities of the American political system. It explores the obstacles encountered in the legislative process, particularly the role of the Republican Party and the influence of interest groups.

• The urgency of health care reform in the US
• The complexities of the US health care system, including its multi-payer structure and the dominance of private insurance
• The evolution of Obama's health care reform plan, from the initial vision to the final legislation
• The impact of political and economic factors on the legislative process
• The influence of interest groups in shaping health care policy

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the analysis by highlighting the significance of health care reform in Obama's agenda and the historical context of previous failed attempts at reform. It introduces the paper's focus on the legislative process and the role of political and economic forces in shaping the final legislation.
• The US Health Care System Until 2010: Urgency to Reform: This chapter outlines the major shortcomings of the US health care system, including its high cost, unequal access, and limited coverage. It discusses the dominance of private insurance and the limitations of public programs like Medicaid and Medicare.
• From Change to Concession: Obama's Initial Plan & the Final Reform: This chapter explores Obama's initial vision for health care reform, as embodied in the America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, and its key features, such as the public option. It then analyzes the final legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, highlighting the concessions made and the resulting changes from the original plan.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The paper focuses on key topics such as health care reform, the US health care system, legislative process, political resistance, interest groups, social democracy, neo-liberalism, and the impact of political and economic forces on policymaking. It examines the complexities of the US health care system, the challenges of implementing change, and the influence of various stakeholders in shaping health care policy.

• Hochschule: Universiteit Maastricht
• Note: 1,0
• Autor: Luis Molestina Vivar (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2011
• Seiten: 20
• Katalognummer: V174170
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640951642
• ISBN (Buch): 9783640951949
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: US health care system, US health care reform, Lobbyism, Barack Obama, Republican Party