Respond to two of your colleagues by expanding on their explanation and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing
Respond to two of your colleagues by expanding on their explanation and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
Peer 1
Cost-Benefit Analysis and ACA Repeal/Replace Efforts
The cost-benefit analysis from a legislator's point of view in terms of their reelection likely had a significant impact on the efforts to repeal or replace the Affordable Care Act (Motolinia, 2020). Legislators, assessing the political risks, may have been cognizant of the potential backlash from constituents if a repeal led to less comprehensive coverage or higher uninsured rates. If their analysis revealed that supporting the repeal could result in many of their constituents losing health coverage, thus reducing their chances of re-election, they may have been more inclined to oppose the repeal or push for a replacement that would not result in such an outcome. Furthermore, they might have embarked on targeted changes to the ACA, instead of a complete repeal, to avoid antagonizing voters who were generally in support of the ACA but had concerns about specific elements of it. Essentially, the cost-benefit analysis of potentially losing reelection over a controversial issue like the ACA would have encouraged a careful approach, giving precedence to their constituents' needs and responses over drastic legislative changes.
Voter Views & Medicare/Medicaid Decisions Analysis
The analysis of voters' views greatly influences decisions made by Congress when considering reforms or changes to Medicare or Medicaid (Battista et al., 2021). This process usually involves research, polling, and public consultations to understand voters' needs and preferences. If a proposed reform aligns with constituents' views, it's politically advantageous for members of Congress to support these changes. For instance, if a majority of voters favor expanding Medicare or Medicaid, Congressional representatives may be likely to support this. Conversely, if many voters are concerned about the tax implications or sustainability of these programs, those in Congress might approach reforms with caution.
Furthermore, the demographics of a legislator's constituents play a role (Reed et al., 2021). For example, if a Congressional district has a large population of low-income individuals or senior citizens who benefit from these programs, the representative might be inclined to support policies favoring Medicare or Medicaid. On the other hand, in areas where private insurance is more prevalent, representatives may adopt a different stance.
Overall, these analyses help Congress balance potential policy benefits against political costs. This ensures their actions reflect their constituents' interests while still progressing their political objectives, crucial for maintaining support and enhancing re-election chances.
References
Battista, J., Peress, M., & Richman, J. (2021). Estimating the locations of voters, politicians, policy outcomes, and status quos on a common scale. Political Science Research and Methods, 10(4), 806–822. https://doi.org/10.1017/psrm.2021.42
Motolinia, L. (2020). Electoral accountability and particularistic legislation: Evidence from an electoral reform in mexico. American Political Science Review, 115(1), 97–113. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0003055420000672
Reed, S. M., Arbet, J., & Staubli, L. (2021). Clinical nurse specialists in the United States registered with a national provider identifier. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 35(3), 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1097/nur.0000000000000592
Peer 2
Cost Benefit Analysis in Regard to Reelection and the Affordable Care Act
When it comes to making decisions, legislators hopefully have attempted in the past to make what they believe to be the most fiscally responsible decisions, so that funding can be allocated wherever would be most beneficial at the time. However, since the Affordable Care Act came into play, there have been attempts to repeal and make cuts to this healthcare coverage, as well as attempts to expand its benefits. Interestingly, according to Milstead & Short (2019), policymakers are not necessarily focused on how real people will be affected by changes to Obamacare, Medicare or Medicaid, but rather on how the changes will affect their own re-election chances. Legislators, being aware of this, may now be reticent to make any repeals to the Affordable Care Act, as doing so would likely raise insurance rates and premiums for tens of millions of Americans, as well as disband coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. This would also likely cause legislators to lose chances at reelection, as those who would be directly affected through said cuts would be less likely to vote for such changes, and harbor feelings of anger or resentment at those elected officials.
Additionally, repealing the ACA would cause millions of Americans to no longer have coverage, as well as make direct impacts to those who receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage (The White House, 2023). This has been a controversial topic for years, and legislators may be much more mindful of making any drastic changes to the ACA as this would likely influence voter decision. Instead, legislators may have targeted their approach to making changes to coverage and benefits, as opposed to altogether slashing these coverages when conducting their cost benefit analysis, which in turn may likely ease voter opinions, thus not eliminating legislators’ chances at reelection altogether.
Analysis of Voter Views and How it Affects Decisions by Legislative Leaders National Policy Stance
Voter views and stance typically will affect legislative decisions that are made in regard to policy reform. For example, if legislators reside in an area where the majority of citizens receive Medicaid/Medicare services under the Affordable Care Act, these politicians may be more likely to recommend funding or initiatives that benefit the populations served, rather than make cuts. The same can be said for individuals who reside in differing areas where they oppose the ACA, legislators may attempt to propose cuts to these programs so to win their targeted demographic votes. Interestingly, according to Pacheco, J., Haselswerdt, J., and Michener. J., (2020), opinions toward the ACA are less polarized in states with misaligned partisan environments where Republican governors support Medicaid expansion… there is also evidence that Republican opposition intensifies when a Democratic governor supports expansion. Voter views and opinions may therefor heavily influence legislator decision making capabilities when recommending or opposing various pieces of legislation.
References
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse's guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning
Pacheco, J., Jaselswerdt, J. & Michener, J. (2020). The Affordable Care Act and Polarization in the United States. RSF:
The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences Jul 2020, 6 (2) 114-130; https://doi.org/10.7758/RSF.2020.6.2.05Links to an external site.
The White House. (n.d.). Fact Sheet: The Congressional Republican Agenda: Repealing the Affordable Care Act and Slashing
Medicaid. Retrieved December 9, 2023, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-Links to an external site.
releases/2023/02/28/fact-sheet-the-congressional-republican-agenda-repealing-the-affordable-care-act-and-slashing-
medicaid/
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