These social programs assist those who are not able to access high-quality, affordable services. Services such as healthcare in the United States are prohibitively expensive, restricting people’s ability to access them. Medicare and other social insurance programs promote equality. The Medicaid program, for instance, provides coverage to more than 80 million citizens, with vulnerable populations such as Native communities, African Americans, and low-income families having high coverage priority (Greenberg & Page, 2018). The social security program allows retirees to live a comfortable life. The continuation of life is possible for disabled employees as well as bereaved family members through social insurance. Social insurance has helped to elevate the dignity of people who were previously neglected by society. The social insurance program was used by the government to notify those in poverty who were unable to work or had their income reduced. Social insurance has helped millions of Americans escape poverty.
Socioeconomic and political issues can negatively impact insurance plans. Racism played an important role in the development of social insurance programs, where minority groups were denied resources. Historically, governments used discriminatory regulations that prevented minorities from obtaining mortgages and other resources to buy homes and procure vital services (Meyers & Van Hoyweghen, 2018). However, fairness has improved in modern society as government agencies attempt to guarantee equal representation for all members of the social services. Economically disadvantaged families are deemed uneligible and socially excluded. At the moment, Medicaid is not available to all low-income households. Economic circumstances also affect the amount of help people receive. In times like the 2008 financial crisis, where there is high unemployment and severe economic downturns, social insurance plans are implemented by the government.