Question 1

In 2006, Massachusetts enacted a program health reform, at the center of which was a ____.

Accepted Answer

The Massachusetts health reform of 2006 created a health insurance exchange, known as the Massachusetts Health Connector, which allowed individuals and small businesses to compare and purchase coverage from different insurance companies.

Question 2

Among the poorest states listed by the author is ____.

Accepted Answer

The author specifically mentions Mississippi as one of the poorest states, stating that it has the lowest median household income in the United States. The other choices are not mentioned by the author in this context.

Question 3

Which statement is true regarding politics and diversity among the states?

Accepted Answer

The perceived efficacy of Congress can affect state and local elections, as voters may hold their local representatives accountable for the actions (or inaction) of Congress. Additionally, the popularity of a president's program can also influence elections at the state and local level, as voters may align themselves with or against the party or ideology associated with the president. Therefore, A is the true statement. B is incorrect because not all states necessarily blend all three political cultures. C is incorrect because state political culture can and often does intersect with national politics. D is also incorrect because the popularity of a president's program can have an impact on policymaking at the state level.

Question 4

Variation among the 50 states today includes the uninsured population, with a low of 5% in Massachusetts and a high, in Texas, of ____.

Accepted Answer

Massachusetts has the lowest uninsured rate due to its health care reforms, while Texas has the highest uninsured rate, but it is approximately 24%, not as high as the other options provided.

Question 5

The Articles of Confederation, the first effort at a governing document among the original American states, stressed ____.

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation emphasized the independence and sovereignty of each state, highlighting differences and prioritizing state power over a unified national government.

Question 6

A health issue that Florida might face but Massachusetts would not is ____.

Accepted Answer

Florida, due to its geographical location, may face health issues such as the spread of tropical diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and yellow fever, which Massachusetts does not have to contend with. The other options listed do not apply to Florida specifically.

Question 7

Social capital would likely be highest in a state with

Accepted Answer

Social capital is defined as the networks, norms, and trust that facilitate cooperation and coordination among individuals in a society. A homogenous population is more likely to share a common set of norms and values, which would facilitate cooperation and trust. Therefore, social capital is likely to be highest in a state with a homogenous population. Economic inequality, a multi-racial population, and a high number of persons born abroad may all negatively affect social capital, as they can lead to divisions and distrust among different groups.

Question 8

Which statement is true regarding states?

Accepted Answer

States have the authority to enact their own health care policies and regulations, and they can experiment with innovative approaches to help solve problems in the system. Therefore, they can contribute significantly to finding solutions to the problems of the American health care system. However, this does not mean that they always function as laboratories of democracy, nor have they been the sole source of advances in national health care reform.

Question 9

The state of Texas is portrayed as a(n)____.

Accepted Answer

Texas is commonly characterized as a traditionalistic state because it subscribes to the idea that government's role is to maintain the existing order and hierarchy of power. It emphasizes the importance of individualism and limited government intervention in economic and social affairs, which aligns with traditional values and beliefs.

Question 10

Through the lens of political culture, why do many states in the South have higher rates of those lacking health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Political culture in the South has traditionally emphasized limited government intervention in areas such as healthcare, which may explain the higher rates of those lacking health insurance. This can be attributed to a deep-seated belief in individualism and self-reliance, with a corresponding reluctance to depend on government for support in healthcare or other areas.

Question 11

What does the author state is three times as high in the poor states as rich ones?

Accepted Answer

The author states that childhood poverty is three times as high in poor states compared to rich ones.

Question 12

Which statement is true regarding the political culture of the northern tier of the United States?

Accepted Answer

The political culture of the northern tier of the United States is known for valuing community interests over individual interests. This is reflected in the region's support for policies such as public education, social welfare programs, and labor unions that benefit the community as a whole.

Question 13

In states experiencing the national move away from manufacturing and into service industries, families can experience poor nutrition through the intervening step of ____.

Accepted Answer

A shift away from manufacturing can lead to job loss and decreased wages, resulting in increased poverty for families. This can limit their ability to access healthy and nutritious foods, leading to poor nutrition. High smoking rates, pollution, and lack of food safety can also contribute to poor nutrition, but are not necessarily directly linked to the move away from manufacturing.

Question 14

In response to rising health care costs and the high numbers of residents remaining uninsured, Oregon ____.

Accepted Answer

Oregon explored rationing of care and the use of lotteries as a way to manage limited resources and provide care to more residents, particularly in the context of the Oregon Health Plan.

Question 15

In Texas, Governor Rick Perry ____.

Accepted Answer

Governor Rick Perry of Texas was known for contesting the role of the federal government in expanding the health insurance safety net, particularly in relation to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions.

Quiz 11: The View From the States: an Introduction