Workbook Federalism Learning Objectives I II III IV Federalism may lead to conflict between state and federal laws Critical thinking Because of federalism federal and state governments share responsibility for providing healthcare under Medicaid Social responsibility Understanding federalism is critical for illustrating the financial relationship between the federal and state governments Communication The adoption of Common Core educational standards raises important ethical considerations Personal responsibility State vs Federal Federal political systems divide power between national and regional units o Both are sovereign have authority to make and implement policy States are not bound by the decisions of other states Sometimes state and national policy domains overlap which can lead to conflicting policies o Preemption when state and national laws conflict national law takes precedence over state law Get the Gist Questions 1 In federal political systems who or what has the authority to make policy Both the national and regional governments have the authority to make policy 2 What is the significance of the supremacy clause It indicates that when state and national laws conflict national law takes precedence over state law 3 Why has the federal government decided not to fight state drug laws that 4 contradict federal law Federal government has limited resources and prosecuting people who are in compliance with state law is a low priority If the federal government were to threaten to prosecute financial institutions doing business with marijuana dispensaries what would be the likely result Financial institutions would not do business with dispensaries to avoid the legal consequences 5 What does depending on where you are in the U S distributing and possessing marijuana remains both legal and illegal States that permit distribution do not violate state law but does violate federal law Sharing Medicaid Responsibility Unitary system sovereignty is concentrated in a central national government May include regional units but those units lack the independent authority to create and implement policy Ireland El Salvador Primary function is to carry out policies established by the central government Confederal System disperse sovereignty to regional units There may be a central government but it exists primarily to facilitate relations among the regional units Sovereignty is divided between a national government and regional units Each gets power from the people and has authority to make and implement policy Federal government coin money create rules for naturalization establish courts and regulate commerce both between states and with foreign countries States have authority over areas not ceded to the national government States and national government share public assistance Medicaid provided benefits to those who meet certain eligibility requirements o Offers a good example of state and federal cooperation to address an important social welfare issue o It is an entitlement program states can choose whether or not to participate Medicaid cover 66 million Americans at a cost of 369 3 billion o 11 disabled 9 elderly 27 adults 49 children o Finances 16 of total personal health spending in U S ACA allows states to cover uninsured non elderly non disabled adults W O dependents with a modified gross adjusted income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty line Texas didn t accept ACA 37 of biannual budget on healthcare Policymaking across the states will be inconsistent In some states low income and uninsured individuals without dependents will have access to coverage and in other states they will not This will be unfortunate if you are uninsured but would be eligible for coverage under the expansion Creating distinct national and state governments often means that power is shared more than separated Get the Gist Questions 1 Which type of political system divides sovereignty between a national government and regional units Federal 2 What is Medicaid Public assistance program designed to provide health care to low income persons 3 Who pays for Medicaid and who administers it Federal and state governments pay for it while state governments administer it 4 The federal government has encouraged state governments to expand their Medicaid programs to cover a new group of enrollees Who are these new enrollees Uninsured non elderly non disabled adults with no dependents 5 Governor Perry does not support Medicaid expansion in Texas Why It will be expensive when the federal government stops fully funding the expansion and the Medicaid program may not be viable in the long term Understanding Federalism Federal grants in aid to state and local governments may benefit the federal government in this contest o Used to encourage state and local governments to implement policies that are preferred by the federal government o Ex National minimum drinking age act Increase drinking age or lose federal highway funds o Categorical grants narrowly defined purposes Ex Medicaid o Block grants have fewer strings attached and give the receiving party more discretion as to how the money will be used Get the Gist Questions 1 What are categorical grants Grants from the federal government to state and local governments given for narrowly defined purposes 2 Block grants and revenue sharing are both grants in aid What is the difference between them Revenue sharing provides state and local governments aid to use however they wish while block grants provide aid that must be spent in some general policy area 3 How does federal grant making affect the relationship between the federal government and state local governments Gives the federal government influence over state and local policymaking