Full Answer Section

Here is an example of how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be analyzed using the policy analysis process of identification and definition:

• Problem: The ACA was enacted in response to the problem of rising healthcare costs and the lack of health insurance coverage for millions of Americans.
• Solution: The ACA proposed a number of solutions to these problems, including expanding Medicaid, providing subsidies to help people afford health insurance, and creating health insurance exchanges where people can shop for coverage.
• Political will: The ACA was passed with bipartisan support in Congress, which indicates that there was enough political will to support the policy change.
• Resources: The ACA was funded by a combination of taxes and fees, which ensured that there were enough resources available to implement the policy change.
• Public support: The ACA was supported by a majority of Americans, which helped to ensure its passage and implementation.
• Evaluation: The ACA has been evaluated by a number of organizations, and the results have been mixed. Some studies have found that the ACA has led to a decrease in the number of uninsured Americans, while others have found that it has had little impact.

The ACA is a complex policy that has been the subject of much debate. However, it is an important example of how policy change can be used to address the problems that our society faces.

Here is a scholarly supported rationale for the defining characteristics of policy change:

• Problem: The existence of a problem is a necessary condition for policy change. Without a problem, there is no need for change.
• Solution: The proposed policy must be a feasible solution to the problem. If the policy is not feasible, it is unlikely to be implemented.
• Political will: There must be enough political will to support the policy change. This means that there must be a consensus among policymakers that the change is necessary and desirable.
• Resources: The policy change must be funded by resources that are available. If the resources are not available, the policy change is unlikely to be implemented.
• Public support: The policy change must have the support of the public. If the public does not support the change, it is unlikely to be implemented.
• Evaluation: The policy change must be evaluated to determine its effectiveness. This will help to determine whether the policy is achieving its intended goals.

These are just some of the defining characteristics of policy change. The specific characteristics that are relevant to a particular policy change will vary depending on the nature of the problem and the proposed solution.