A well-defined social welfare policy, as well as the nature of its contents and its administration, is a crucial part of any country. The definition of social welfare policy is “the strategy of action indicating the means and methods adopted to implement the social welfare services.” Social welfare programs are designed to provide for those who, by some reason or handicap, are not able to access all of the amenities and services that the community offers. Simply put, social welfare services are ways to provide certain services to those who require special care (Dubey 640). A country’s healthcare policy is a reflection of its social values and views regarding the roles of government, the individual citizen, and society itself (Clark 266). The
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The law expanded health insurance coverage by requiring that individuals have qualified health insurance, subsidizing the cost of health insurance for those with low to moderate incomes, requiring that employers offer health coverage to employees, and greatly expanding Medicaid eligibility (Harrington 704). The Supreme Court said that the government imposed requirement for Americans to have health insurance or be forced to pay a penalty is constitutionally based on Congress's taxation powers. The penalty is a tax on people who do not have health insurance and is enforced through federal tax returns …show more content…
First, Americans traditionally take a more conservative view of who should receive assistance from the government. Second, America has not embraced the welfare state as quickly as most other countries. Third, the states, nongovernmental organizations, and private enterprises play a larger role in welfare programs in the United States than in other countries (Wilson and DiIulio 509). Canada's social welfare programs tend to be more generous than those of the United States. For instance, Canada's social assistance is available to couples who have not had children, and the benefit levels are much higher than in the United States. Canada's child tax benefit is available to nonworking and working families; in the United States, these benefits are offered exclusively to working families. Canada's social welfare system provides widows' benefit to help elderly women who live alone. Such a program does not exist in the United States (Kenworthy 1135). Individualistic values in the United States have blocked the creation of a very coherent national healthcare policy. Conversely, Canadians stress collectivism rather than individualism, which has led to the formation of a universal healthcare system (Clark 267). Welfare systems in France and Italy also show more civility towards poor citizens than those in the United States. More than 20% of
The law expanded health insurance coverage by requiring that individuals have qualified health insurance, subsidizing the cost of health insurance for those with low to moderate incomes, requiring that employers offer health coverage to employees, and greatly expanding Medicaid eligibility (Harrington 704). The Supreme Court said that the government imposed requirement for Americans to have health insurance or be forced to pay a penalty is constitutionally based on Congress's taxation powers. The penalty is a tax on people who do not have health insurance and is enforced through federal tax returns …show more content…
First, Americans traditionally take a more conservative view of who should receive assistance from the government. Second, America has not embraced the welfare state as quickly as most other countries. Third, the states, nongovernmental organizations, and private enterprises play a larger role in welfare programs in the United States than in other countries (Wilson and DiIulio 509). Canada's social welfare programs tend to be more generous than those of the United States. For instance, Canada's social assistance is available to couples who have not had children, and the benefit levels are much higher than in the United States. Canada's child tax benefit is available to nonworking and working families; in the United States, these benefits are offered exclusively to working families. Canada's social welfare system provides widows' benefit to help elderly women who live alone. Such a program does not exist in the United States (Kenworthy 1135). Individualistic values in the United States have blocked the creation of a very coherent national healthcare policy. Conversely, Canadians stress collectivism rather than individualism, which has led to the formation of a universal healthcare system (Clark 267). Welfare systems in France and Italy also show more civility towards poor citizens than those in the United States. More than 20% of