Public Policy Unit 2 Test Review

effectiveness

Evaluation criteria - did the policy meet its intended goal? Is it working?

Acceptability

Evaluation criteria - the extent to which a policy is deemed to be satisfactory or adequate by those who use it. Opinion polls provide evidence.

Cost

Evaluation criteria - is the cost of the policy reasonable and affordable? Is the cost worth it?

Equity

Evaluation criteria - Does the policy create inequities based on race, sex, ethnicity or other characteristics?

Sustainability

Evaluation criteria - can the policy work over time? Are their resources to carry this out in the long-term

Feasibility

Evaluation criteria - is it possible to carry out the policy given the resources available?

Great depression

Economic crisis in 1929 that set the agenda for social safety net policies including unemployment and Social Security.

New Deal

A series of reforms enacted by the Franklin Roosevelt administration with the goal of ending the Great Depression. Included Social Security and other safety net programs.

War on Poverty

President Lyndon B. Johnson's program in the 1960's to provide greater social services for the poor and elderly. Resulted in Medicare and Medicaid.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Means-tested program, states determine the eligibility of needy families and the benefits and services those families will receive.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Means-tested program that provides recipients with a debit card for food at most grocery stores; formerly known as food stamps.

Social Security

Guaranteed retirement payments for enrolled workers beginning at age 65. Entitlement program, paid for by taxes.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

A federal program that provides help for nutrition and health care to low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5.

Medicare

A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older. An entitlement program.

Medicaid

A federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them. Means-tested, based on income.

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)

A medical coverage source for individuals under age 19 whose parents earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid, but not enough to pay for private coverage.

ACA (Affordable Care Act)

in 2010, it was designed to provide more access to affordable health insurance. Individual mandate, parents keep kids on insurance until 26, no lifetime caps, no disqualification based on prior health conditions.

FHA (Federal Housing Act)

Passed in 1945, Gave loans with less down payment and lower interest rates. Let's increase home ownership.

Redlining

A process by which banks draw lines on a map and refuse to lend money to purchase homes within a certain area. Let to racial inequities in housing and long-term wealth accumulation.

HUD (Housing and Urban Development)

An agency of the federal govt. that implements housing policies and laws.

Adoption

Phase of policy making in which laws or policies are officially passed, usually by a legislative body.

Maryland Home Act

Maryland law that prohibits landlords from refusing to accept housing vouchers for rent payments.

Implementation

Phase of policy making in which the policy is enacted, usually by an executive body.

Agenda Setting

The circumstances or problem that result in ideas for a policy to fix the problem; getting an agenda in the public eye to get attention.

Formulation

Phase of policy making that involves actually creating the policy.

Evaluation

Phase of policy that involves collecting data to assess the policy.

Mandatory spending

Required govt spending by permanent laws; most expensive item is health care (medicare and medicaid)

Housing Choice Vouchers

Government subsidies to pay rent to a private landlord. Also known as "section 8" housing.

Public Housing

Housing owned by the government; in the United States, it is rented to low-income residents, and the rents are set at 30 percent of the families' incomes.

Unemployment Insurance

A government program that partially protects workers' incomes when they become unemployed. Must have lost your job due to no fault of your own.

Means-tested program

A program in which, to be eligible, an individual's income and assets must not exceed specified levels. Must qualify to receive services based on income.

Entitlement program

a program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income. Medicare and Social Security.

Consumer Protection Finance Bureau

a US government agency established to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. Established after the 2008 Housing Crisis.

Dodd-Frank Act (2010)

Massive U.S. financial reform law enacted after the 2008 crisis to increase oversight, protecting consumers, and reducing systemic risk. Created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Fair Housing Act of 1968

Federal law that prohibits discrimination in housing-related activities based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin, ensuring equal housing opportunities for everyone. Banned redlining.

Zoning Laws

Local laws that control residential and commercial development. Critics say these have been too strict and led to high housing prices.

Medicare For All Act

Law proposed by Bernie Sanders to provide universal, single-payer health care for all Americans.

Affordability

The ability to be afforded something. This has become a major political topic surrounding housing, health care, and the price of consumer goods.