The United States is sometimes described as a “reluctant welfare state.” I agree with this statement. Too often our government creates programs that, while well-intentioned, end up failing in their primary purpose. The government can, and we hope, seek to help its citizens. However, by applying unreasonable eligibility or retention criteria, or by applying too many restrictions that prevent people from even receiving aid, they end up with far more problems than solutions. Three examples of policies that do this are: Medicare, No Child Left Behind, and TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Medicare is health insurance for people aged 65 or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with end-stage renal disease. There are four subcategories of Medicare. Part A concerns hospital stays or, under certain restrictions, home care for a limited number of days. Part B is more like regular medical insurance. It covers outpatient care and doctors’ fees. There is a deductible and sometimes a co-pay. Part C is presented as an alternative to Parts A and B. This is where private insurance companies can contract with the federal government to provide Medicare benefits through their own policies. It may offer benefits not covered by original Medicare, although a premium may be charged. Part D is the prescribing plan for enrollees. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2010) Medicare Part A is supposed to be a major medical hospitalization plan offered to any American citizen aged 65. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, some home health care services, semi-...... middle of paper ...... Training in Policy Research: Finance and Accountability Program, Syracuse, NY. Retrieved from http://www-cpr.maxwell.syr.edu/efap/Publications/costing_out.pdfMedina, J. (October 10, 2010). In New York school exams, warning signs were ignored. Office of the New York Times Press Secretary (2010). President's Remarks to the United Nations General Assembly United Nations, NY, NY: retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/ 2010/09/23/remarks-president-united-nations- general -assemblage Schaeffer, R. (December 2007). What's wrong with standardized testing?. Retrieved from http://www.fairtest.org/facts/whatwron.htmStanden, A. (October 2005). Grounded: a lack of funds, and nclb, may mean fewer field trips. Edutopia: ikids edition, Understanding the limits of health insurance. (2010, April). Retrieved from http://www.medicarepartd.me/