Promoting Policy Change to Address Healthcare Inequality

by | Oct 9, 2023 | social work

 

 

Submit a 2- to 3-page proposal that addresses the following:

Provide a brief synopsis of the social problem you selected in Week 2.
Provide a brief synopsis of the policy you selected in Week 4.
Explain your selection of a policy—why, as a policy advocate, did you select this specific policy to promote change regarding the social problem?
Identify the person or group who enacted the policy and explain their motivation or reason for advocating for this policy. How does the reason differ from your own advocacy and change goals?
Describe the ways in which the policy impacts the populations and discuss the consequences—intended and unintended. Hint: Build on your answer to the following part of your Week 4 Assignment:
Explain how this policy affects clients you might see in a clinical setting and why, as a clinical social worker, it would be important to advocate for change.
Describe your initial work to change the policy (i.e., plan for social advocacy).
Be sure to incorporate the sources you found using standard APA format.

WEEK 2 SOCIAL PROBLEM = Healthcare inequality. (see attached wk2 assignment)

WEEK 4 SOCIAL PROBLEM = find a state or national policy that helps with healthcare inequality. NO LOCAL POLICY

TO PREPARE:
Read Chapter 8 of the Jansson text.
Selected at least five sources to support your advocacy proposal. The sources may be related to specific consequences of the social problem, issues related to the policy, or steps for advocacy.

1 REFERENCE:
Jansson, B. S. (2018). Becoming an effective policy advocate: From policy practice to social justice (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Chapter 8, “Placing Policy Proposals in Policy Briefs in the Second, Third, and Fourth Steps of Policy Analysis” (pp. 246–283)

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


This question has been answered

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Proposal: Promoting Policy Change to Address Healthcare Inequality
Introduction
In this proposal, we will address the social problem of healthcare inequality and the selected policy that aims to mitigate this issue. We will explain the rationale behind selecting this policy as a means to promote change, discuss the motivations of the enacting group, and explore the intended and unintended consequences of the policy. Additionally, we will outline an initial plan for social advocacy to bring about policy change.

Synopsis of the Social Problem: Healthcare Inequality
Healthcare inequality refers to the disparities in access to quality healthcare services among different populations. This issue is particularly prevalent in the United States, where individuals from marginalized communities often face barriers such as lack of insurance coverage, limited healthcare facilities in their neighborhoods, and discrimination in healthcare delivery. These inequities result in poorer health outcomes and perpetuate the cycle of poverty and disadvantage.

Synopsis of the Selected Policy: State or National Policy for Healthcare Equality
The selected policy to address healthcare inequality is a state or national policy that aims to provide equal access to healthcare services for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or geographic location. This policy seeks to eliminate barriers to healthcare by expanding insurance coverage, increasing funding for community health centers, and implementing measures to reduce discrimination in healthcare delivery.

Rationale for Policy Selection
As a policy advocate, the selected policy was chosen because it addresses the root causes of healthcare inequality and provides comprehensive solutions to improve access to healthcare services. This policy aligns with the principles of social justice and aims to create a more equitable healthcare system. By promoting this policy, we can work towards reducing health disparities and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to lead healthy lives.

Motivation of the Enacting Group
The enacting group, which could be state legislators or policymakers at the national level, advocates for this policy due to various reasons. Their motivation may stem from a desire to fulfill their constituents’ needs, address public health concerns, or align with their political ideologies. While their motivations may differ from our own advocacy goals, both parties ultimately seek to promote equitable access to healthcare.

Impacts and Consequences of the Policy
Intended Consequences
Improved access to healthcare services for marginalized populations.
Reduction in health disparities and improved health outcomes.
Increased availability of insurance coverage for individuals previously uninsured.
Enhanced funding for community health centers, leading to improved healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas.
Unintended Consequences
Potential strain on healthcare resources due to increased demand.
Economic implications resulting from expanded insurance coverage and increased funding requirements.
Resistance from certain groups or stakeholders who may perceive this policy as a threat to their interests.
Policy’s Impact on Clinical Social Work Clients
This policy has significant implications for clients seen in clinical settings. By addressing healthcare inequality, it ensures that clients from marginalized communities have access to necessary medical care, preventive services, and mental health support. As a clinical social worker, advocating for change is crucial as it promotes the overall well-being of clients and helps break the cycle of poverty and poor health outcomes.

Initial Plan for Social Advocacy
To bring about policy change regarding healthcare inequality, the following steps can be taken:

Raise Awareness: Utilize various platforms such as social media, community forums, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about healthcare inequality and its impact on marginalized populations.
Mobilize Support: Engage with community organizations, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and advocacy groups to build a coalition of support for the policy change.
Lobbying Efforts: Meet with policymakers at local, state, or national levels to advocate for the adoption of policies that address healthcare inequality.
Collaborative Partnerships: Form partnerships with other stakeholders such as healthcare providers, insurers, and community organizations to develop comprehensive strategies for implementing the policy.
Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor the implementation of the policy and assess its effectiveness in reducing healthcare inequality. Advocate for adjustments and improvements as needed.

Conclusion
Addressing healthcare inequality is crucial in creating a more just society where everyone has equal access to quality healthcare services. By promoting a state or national policy that aims to mitigate this issue, we can work towards achieving equitable health outcomes for all individuals. Through social advocacy efforts outlined in this proposal, we can bring about positive change and contribute to building a healthier and more equitable future for all.

This question has been answered.

Get Answer