Group Project 2

As I suggested in the assignment for the first group project, underlying the frame of a social problem is a set of value assumptions. The influential group that is constructing the frame (defining the problem) uses their values in assessing the situation to be "bad" or harmful. From the standpoint of critical sociologists, the current historical period is characterized by a structural contradiction between elite interests and the interests of the rest of us. Often, this contradiction is reflected in the way a problem is framed or "constructed," based on the different sets of values at stake.

The health care industry–referred to by some critical sociologists as the "medical-industrial complex"– is one institution in which such contradictions are revealed. In health care, the contradiction between the needs and interests of the owners and managers of organizations that control access to health care and the needs of people seeking health care services gives rise to two questions: Who gets it; and who decides? This burning issue was fictionalized in the recent hit movie, John Q., in which the lead character (played by Denzel Washington) takes drastic action when his son is about to die for lack of a procedure the hospital and insurance company will not approve.

The goal of this assignment is to take the next step in the critical analysis of social problems by assessing the importance of contradictions in values as these affect the construction of a social problem. This time, we are not as concerned with evidence regarding the existence and extent of the problem as we are with why it is a social problem. Whose values are violated, and how do different groups use different values to define or frame the issues in different ways? In order to assess these things, we will first need to clarify what our personal and group values and goals are with respect to health care, and then assess whether the current system adheres to those values and is able to meet those goals. We will also need to assess the values used by elite groups in framing the issues as they do.

For your review, here is a diagram of our social problem analysis model. (You'll note I changed the diagram somewhat, and hopefully you will be able to see it in the document this time. I've simply moved the values part of the problem definition outside that frame to more clearly indicate that values are held by specific groups in society. When an influential group or substantial number of people define a condition as a social problem, their values are what gives the problem it's specific definition, or frame. In this version of the diagram, I've also placed in italics the particular aspect we analyze and assess when looking at each component of a social problem.)

1. Read the articles in Crossroads assigned in the course schedule (originally for week 8):

Gordon & McCall, "Healing in a Hurry" (190-200); Consumer Reports, "Does Canada Have the Answer?" (201-214)

and the following web sites: http://www.census.gov/hhes/hlthins/hlthin03/hlth03asc.html

http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=241931

http://www.policyattitudes.org/OnlineReports/Healthcare/findings_3.html

These are fairly brief and just give you an indication of how many people lack health insurance and the consequences of that. The third one summarizes responses to public opinion surveys on health care policy. As always, you can also search for additional information on your own.

2. Between Thursday, Oct. 28 and Monday, Nov. 1, discuss all the questions below first among members of your own small group, as you did in Group Project 1. I’ve created these “private” groups of four or five members in the WebCT Discussions page. You should see your group (and only your group) show up on your Discussion page as “GP2 Group x” where x is the number of your group.

3. I will post a topic in the Discussion board on Monday titled “Group Project 2 Summary.” Each group will be responsible for presenting a brief summary of their answers to only one of the questions. I will indicate which question each group should present in the first message in the group project 2 summary topic.  You should complete these summaries by Wednesday, Nov. 3.

4. Finally, you may reply to at least one of these summaries from another class member for a “bonus” point.

1. What are your personal values regarding health? Who should receive care: anyone who needs it, or those who can pay for it (including those with insurance)? Who should decide how much and what kind of care they receive? Are your values in line with those expressed by most Americans in surveys? What should be the goal of a health care system?

2. What problem is addressed by the implementation of managed care (HMO’s, etc.)? What values are used or implied by the influential groups that advocate this system?

3. What problem is addressed by the advocates of universal care (usually single-payer, government funded)? What values are used or implied by the influential groups that advocate that system?

4. Describe the system by which health care is provided in the United States. How do most people receive care? How are decisions made about what kind of care people receive and how they receive it? Who makes those decisions? What are their primary goals? What are their priorities? What contradictions can you identify between the values and goals you stated in question 1 and the values and goals of the structure you identified in question 2? Would universal care or managed care be more in line with your values? Explain.