Written_Assignment 2305

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Central Texas College *

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GOVT-2305-

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Political Science

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Reading Head : Lesson 1: Foundations 1 GOVT 2305 Lesson 1: Foundations Skylar Callaham Due: 12/15/23

Reading Head: Lesson 1: Foundations 2 The Federal System, Mandates, and State Compliance: The Case of the Affordable Care Act The United States Constitution, a watershed moment in American history, meticulously lays the groundwork for a distinct federal system of governance. In this system, authority is carefully distributed between the national, central government and the union’s individual states. This delicate balance has two goals: first, it strives to uphold and preserve the individual rights and autonomy that each state possesses, ensuring that their sovereignty is preserved. Second, it aspires to spread a strong and cohesive national policy, ensuring consistency where necessary. The balancing act, however, is not always easy. Conflicts and disputes arise frequently, particularly when federal directives or mandates appear to encroach on or violate state sovereign rights, creating a constant dynamic of negotiation and reevaluation within the federal government. Methods Employed by the Federal Government for State Compliance The federal government has several tools at its disposal to ensure that states follow federal mandates: Conditional Grants The federal government frequently provides funds to states with strings attached. States must follow federal requirements if they want to access these funds. This method is especially effective because it makes use of financial incentives. Direct Orders

Reading Head: Lesson 1: Foundations 3 The federal government can issue direct orders or regulations requiring states to take specific actions. Preemption In areas where the Constitution grants the federal government authority, federal law “preempts” or takes precedence over state law. State Resistance to Federal Mandates States have also developed strategies to oppose or challenge federal mandates: Legal Challenges States may sue to challenge the constitutionality of the federal mandate. Non-compliance States may choose not to enforce or actively oppose federal legislation. Lobbying States officials can lobby Congress or the President to change or repeal the unpopular mandate. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a Case Study The Affordable Care Act (ACA), colloquially known as Obamacare, is a classic example of the complexities that exist between federal directives and state rights (Smith, 2015). The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was envisioned as a transformative piece of legislation that would overhaul the United States’ healthcare system. Its primary goal was to close the significant gap in health coverage by focusing on the large population of uninsured Americans, which is estimated to number in the millions (Jones, 2014). It hoped to extend healthcare benefits to these people by

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