AP U.S. Government and Politics Ch. 17 Study Guide

Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, & Energy

Reading: C Edwards, Chapter 17, “Policymaking for Health Care, the Environment, & Energy” C Steven Cohen, “Understanding Environmental Policy.” (2006) C Roger H. Davidson & Walter J. Oleszek, “Domestic Policy Making.” (1994) C Ilya Somin. "Federalism Arguments in King v. Burwell." The Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2015.

Guiding Questions: C What are the underlying issues to the debates on health care, environmental, and energy

policymaking? C How do we reconcile the idea of “limited government” with wide-reaching concerns such

as health care, the environment, and energy? C How do we – should we – accommodate conflicting interests in setting policy on health

care, environment, and energy?

Objectives: Students will C Outline the problems of health care in America and the role of government in health

care. C Analyze the conflicts between economic growth and environmental protection, and

identify the major national environmental protection policies. C Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each of the principal sources of energy

in the United States. C Assess the role of democratic politics in making health care, environment, and energy

policy and the effect of these policies on the scope of government.

Vocabulary (Quiz Friday, 4/3): You should be able to define and use these terms appropriatelyand accurately in context. You DO NOT need to write out definitions unless that is what willhelp you learn them.

health maintenanceorganization (HMO)

infant mortality rateMedicareMedicaidnational health insurance

Environmental ProtectionAgency

National EnvironmentalPolicy Act

environmental impactstatement

Clean Air Act of 1970

Water Pollution Control Actof 1972

Endangered Species Act of1973

Superfundglobal warming

Reading Responses: Answer the following questions and be ready to discuss them in class.

Edwards (Due Friday, 4/3)

1. Compare and contrast Medicare and Medicaid. How is each of these programs funded,and how are the two programs threatened by increased health care costs?

2. Briefly discuss/summarize presidents’ efforts to reform health care in the United States,beginning with Harry Truman’s effort. What problems have these reform effortsattempted to resolve?

3. Why do economic growth and environmental protection come into conflict? How doesthe text illustrate that economic growth and environmental protection can both bepursued?

4. Does the complex nature of health care, environmental, and energy policies necessarilyundermine public participation in these policy debates? Explain.

5. How have health care, environmental, and energy policies contributed to the growth inthe scope of government in recent years? Do you think these policies inevitably lead to alarger government? Explain.

6. MINI-RESEARCH: Pick two sources of energy to read more about, and assess theiradvantages and disadvantages in terms of both the economics of their use and theenvironment. In your opinion, which source of energy available to the United Statesholds the most promise to continue strong economic growth while protecting theenvironment? Explain.