Question

Whereas it can be said with some confidence that welfare reform is showing some progress towards flexible adaptation and proper orientation toward sustainable community development in state and local governments across the country, health care largely remains an unresolved issue in many states and local communities.

Identify the main issues with welfare reform.

Answer 1

Welfare reform's main issues include preventing fraud and dependency, varying state-level policies post-1996 reforms, ongoing debates regarding funding levels, and the balance between fostering independence and providing adequate support, especially amid controversies like those surrounding the Affordable Care Act.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main issues with welfare reform include the challenges of preventing fraud and dependency, ensuring adequate support for children, and managing varying state policies after the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act gave states greater discretion over welfare provision. The 1996 reforms transformed welfare into 'workfare', with stricter work requirements and time-limited assistance, leading to decreased welfare dependency but also criticisms concerning states' ability to support their poorest citizens.

Additionally, the debate between liberals and conservatives regarding adequate funding and the effectiveness of welfare reforms continues to be a contentious issue. Liberals often advocate for more aggressive funding to break the poverty cycle, while conservatives argue that welfare can foster a dependency culture. This ongoing discourse is part of a larger conversation on the proper role of government in providing for the general welfare of its people, which also includes controversies surrounding health care, as exemplified by the Affordable Care Act debates.