Political Science: Healthcare, Policies, and Political Ideologies

This report delves into the comparison between liberalism and socialism, focusing on their contrasting principles and impact on healthcare policies. The report examines the core tenets of each ideology, including individual freedoms, equality, and the role of government. It analyzes how these ideologies shape approaches to healthcare, including public financing, insurance coverage, and the challenges faced by programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The report also explores the legislative processes in the US and Canada, highlighting how political ideologies influence the development and implementation of healthcare laws. Furthermore, it addresses the issues of healthcare accessibility, insurance premiums, and the impact of managed care, providing a comprehensive overview of the intersection of political ideologies and healthcare systems.

ASSIGNMENT 1
Question one
Liberal involves the incorporation of liberal principles which is bounded by individual
actions. Liberal minded individuals or state take pride of individual self while not minding
others while on the other hand socialism lean on the side of being in unison and acting in a
collective bid. Aspects which they differ include freedom, equality and accountability.
Liberal ideologies lean on free market which emphasizes on personal freedom, limited
intrusion of government action on individual affairs, equality for all and the consent of the
governed on matters such as elections.
On the hand socialist ideologies are motivated by dislikes of the free market. Aspect
which characterises on these views includes assets owned by the community, aspirations of
equality and political gradualism which enhances political accountability from the state or
rulers.
Question two
Enactment of laws is part of the wider approach by government and state parties in
ensuring that regulation is ensured. In US, laws are through the simple majority vote. When a
bill is introduced in parliament, it gets the approval of simple majority from houses, senate
and House of Representatives and also the support of the president in order to be law.
In Canada laws are passed bills come as proposed laws which are introduced in either
of the houses Commons or the Senate, then it goes through he first reading till the third
reading. It goes further to the second house and if passed it goes second house where it is
debated if successful goes for Royal Assent and becomes a law.
In US bills undergo major tests due to the liberal state of the society it is in. As much
there is much democracy, bills have to get the simple majority from the members, however
despite the democrats being the majority it does not guarantee support to legislations being
done, thus proving hard process.
Question three
Inequalities exist when the private insurance company chooses those with pre-existing
disease so as to charge high premiums, which guarantees them high money charged thus
excluding those who can’t afford the premium package, hence limiting access to care for
them.
Question four
Public financing is considered the optimal way of ensuring that health care insurances
covers a huge mass of people and it is more cost effective in ensuring that health is cheap

and accessible. This done through spreading the risk in the population of illness and thus
boost the insurance coverage, harnessing more finances.
Question five
Challenges often encountered include in Medicare, it is faced with the rising cost of
health care and proportion of retired population. Medicaid on the other hand is faced with
factors concerned with controlling costs, getting access to expand eligibility, oversight of
managed and access to doctors and dentist. In managed care they are faced with issues to
increase cost of insurance due to its utilization review.