Problem
Assessing Policy Alternatives:
Drug Testing Welfare Beneficiaries (35-40 minutes)
Chapter 6 discusses ways that policymakers assess policy options and evaluate policies. A number of evaluative criteria are presented in Table 6-1. The relevance of each criterion varies according to the policy option being considered. Effectiveness of the policy is almost always a relevant criterion: Did the policy reach its goal? Was it effective in addressing the problem? Efficiency of a policy option relates to how much it costs to achieve that goal, while equity considers whether the process and outcome of the policy were fair to subgroups of people. Liberty is important as it relates to the important American values of the right to privacy and freedom to choose. Finally, other criteria, such as political feasibility and social acceptability, address whether the policy proposal is supported by politicians and the public, respectively.
Entitlement reform has recently become a hot issue: the recession has led to growing welfare caseloads in states. How should state governments be sure that these welfare benefits are going to people who really need the support and that welfare recipients are using the benefits appropriately? How can governments save money on welfare programs?
Learn about a new policy being implemented by a growing number of states: drug testing welfare beneficiaries to qualify them for benefits. Find information about this policy in two ways.
A. First, watch this brief PBS news report about Colorado's drug testing policy at this site: Click here for the video.
B. Second, search for the terms "welfare+'drug testing'." Choose two reputable news sources to learn about how the new policy works. Then, analyze how well you think the policy meets the following policy criterion:
Describe the nature of the problem that the policy is attempting to address
Evaluate this policy (drug testing) using several policy criteria:
A. Effectiveness: What are the goals of this policy? Will the drug testing program be effective at accomplishing these goals? Has it been shown effective in any state?
B. Efficiency: How costly is this program to implement and enforce? Discuss the costs and effectiveness or benefits of this policy.
C. Equity: Does this policy treat people fairly?
D. Liberty: Does this policy infringe on any rights? Does it unduly restrict freedom?
E. Political feasibility: Are there political forces that lend support or opposition to this bill? Which political party tends to favor this policy? Does it have the support to enact it?
F. Social acceptability: What is public opinion on this policy?