StudySpace: We the People ed. 6

Social Policy: Medicaid, Welfare and Poverty

This exercise examines our social policies on Medicaid and Social Security. A “Now with Bill Moyers” video segment discusses the effect of cuts on Medicaid and a news article discusses the rationale behind our social security system. Is Social Security a system worth saving?

Watch the discussion of Medicaid cuts on NOW’s July 16th  episode: http://www.pbs.org/now/thisweek/index_071604.html#video and click on “Medicare Mess” to watch the clip. (Note: the website states “Medicare Mess,” but it actually discusses Medicaid).

1. Explain why Governor Barbour decided to cut Medicaid benefits.
   
   

2. Do you agree that these cuts are necessary?
   
   

3. What should be the responsibility of the government to the sickest and poorest Americans
   
   

4. Read this article in the Christian Science Monitor on poverty: http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0109/p01s02-ussc.html

   How effective have government programs such as Social Security and Medicare been in reducing poverty for the elderly?

   
   
   

5. How effective has the government been in reducing childhood poverty?
   
   

6. The goal of welfare reform was NOT to reduce poverty, but to reduce caseloads. Should reducing poverty be a goal of the government?