Social Policy in the United States

Over time, the United States social policy has evolved from being non-interventionist to creating programs that help Americans in need. The control of these programs has shifted from the states to the federal government.

Social Policy in the U.S. Today Late arrival of social policy in U.S. After New Deal, responsibility in the area shifted from state to federal power (1) Nearly half of all spending by the federal government goes to social programs (2) Social programs include Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the recently contested Healthcare (2)

Social Security Normal retirement age to receive Social Security benefits is 65 (6) Baby boomers are starting to reach eligible age to retire Fear that Social Security benefits will run out

Unemployment Insurance Given to those who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet certain requirements (3) o You must be monetarily eligible (7) o Must be totally or partially unemployed (7) o Must meet certain weekly legal requirements (7)

Welfare Clinton gave welfare back to the states in 1996 (5) Eligibility depends on gross net income, size of family, and a crisis situation (4) – All recipients must find work within 2 years of receiving aid – TANF: federal government gives each state a grant to run their own welfare program Government has adopted concept of “help the deserving poor” instead of giving everyone a fair share (1)

What Got Us Here? The New Deal The Great Society

The New Deal The New Deal set a precedent of the government getting involved in people’s lives. It set a standard for the government helping those in need and identified the economic problems facing the country as society’s, not individual’s, problems.

Before the New Deal Voluntary non-profits and local governments responsible for social welfare (6) No major social or income maintenance programs Welfare was discriminatory -name of recipients published -screening of applicants (6) General belief was that people should help themselves unless they were physically unable to do so (1)

The New Deal-Important Legislation Social Security Majoritarian welfare program (1) Monthly pensions for those over 65 (1) Unemployment benefits and insurance Assistance for dependent children, and blind (1)) How programs administered: -states get funds from federal government -state agencies designated to implement programs -eligibility standards established in each state -fair hearings established to appeal eligibility decisions (slideshow)

The New Deal- Important Legislation National Industrial Recovery Act Created National Industrial Recovery Administration Goal: stimulate dormant factories and industries-increase business profits, more jobs created, more spending, good for people, good for economy -did this by codes industries/companies had to follow (746 codes in all) -codes regulated hours, wage, advertising, production numbers, technological developments Allowed employees to unionize and bargain collectively -let businesses fix prices so they could not be run out of business by other companies lowering prices to gain customers First direct government involvement in business (7)

The New Deal-Important Legislation Federal Emergency Relief Administration federal funds to help states with costs of sustaining unemployed Also gave aid to working poor, college students with loans, and funded cooperatives among farmers. Purchased 4 million acres land for resale to farmers (6)

The Great Society The Great society both expanded the areas that the government would get involved in and targeted groups in dire poverty that did not benefit from the New Deal.

Before the Great Society ¼ American families living below poverty line Large regions did not experience economic growth after the war Technological advances=less jobs for unskilled workers (9)

The Great Society-Important Legislation Medicare and Medicaid Before Great Society: ⅓ seniors living in poverty, 44% without health insurance (9) Medical insurance for those over 65 and covers hospital expenses for the poor (8)

The Great Society- Important Legislation Housing and Urban Development Act/Omnibus Housing Act Cities faced a shortage of affordable housing (9) Established the Department of Housing and Urban Development – provided aid to cities to rebuild slums (9) $7.5 billion for low-income housing and aid to small businesses displaced by urban renewal (8)

The Great Society-Important Legislation Elementary and Secondary School Act/ Higher Education Act Before Great Society: ¼ population hadn’t finished high school (9) $1 billion for public schools and $100 million for purchase of library and textbooks (8) Financial resources for students pursuing higher education (10)

Which event-the New Deal or the Great Society-had the biggest impact on social policy in the United States? Why? ?

Most Important Issue in the future: Social Security Issue: Fear that Social Security benefits will run out for future generations

Social Security Crisis Baby boomers of 1946 to 1964 are starting to reach eligible age to receive benefits Everyone’s paying for it now… But most will not receive the benefits in the future (8) By 2020, there will be fewer than 4 workers for every retiree

What are possible solutions to the Social Security crisis? ?

Possible Solutions Raise the retirement age to 70 Freeze the size of retirement benefits Raise Social Security taxes Cut unimportant programs

Most important issue now: Healthcare Controversy over whether the federal government should require all Americans to have healthcare

Healthcare Crisis It affects everyone– makes it a priority. Republicans’ first order of business is to repeal the Healthcare Bill Divided government has pitted Congress (House) against the president regarding issue VS

Healthcare Crisis If not dealt with, there could be a potential halt in Congressional progress.

What are possible solutions to the Healthcare controversy? ?

Possible Solutions Liberal view: Pro-Healthcare Reform Bill All Americans should be required to have healthcare insurance Conservative view: Healthcare Bill is unconstitutional Americans cannot be forced by government to purchase a product

Works Consulted 1. U.S. Society-- Social Welfare. 2010: IIP Publications, Web. 10 Jan OTHER 1-WILSON - Wilson, James Q., and John J. DiIulio. American Government. 9th ed. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company, Print. 2. Unemployment Insurance Web. 10 Jan "Welfare Information." U.S. Welfare System (2011): n. pag. Web. 10 Jan Full Retirement Age Web. 10 Jan Solis, Hilda L. "Unemployment Insurance (UI)." U.S Department of Labor n. pag. Web. 11 Jan U.S Census Bureau n. pag. Web. 11 Jan Jackson, Jill, and John Nolen. "Health Care Reform Bill Summary: A Look At What's in the Bill." CBS 21 Mar. 2010: n. pag. Web. 11 Jan Ferraro, Thomas. "House Republicans aim to repeal Obama healthcare law." Yahoo 3 Jan 2011: n. pag. Web. 11 Jan Schlam, Lawrence. "Higher Education Act of 1965." Novelguide.com (2004): n. pag. Web. 8 Jan "Key Legislation to Create the Great Society." Weber. Web. 6 Jan "Thematic Window." The Great Society. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 8 Jan Schlam, Lawrence. "Higher Education Act of 1965." Novelguide.com (2004): n. pag. Web. 8 Jan Slideshow