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Congress, Problems Definition, and Inattentive Publics: An Analysis of Disability Policymaking for Alcoholics and Drug Addicts Author: William J. Bartosch Dissertation School: Brandeis University Pages: 328 Publication Date: April 2004 Availability: Access Number: 108000 Abstract: The abuse of alcohol and other drugs places a huge burden on society and poses major challenges to HUD achieving its mission of helping people create communities of opportunities. In 1995 alone, the economics costs of alcohol and illicit drug problems were an estimated $276.4 billion reflecting health-related costs as well as broader social ramifications of substance abuse. <>Through an analysis of federally subsidized housing for the disabled, this dissertation is addressing three of HUD's Fiscal Year 2002 strategic goals: 1) ensuring equal opportunity housing for all Americans, 2) improving quality of life and economic viability, and 3) ensuring public trust in HUD. In particular, this dissertation is examining HUD's historic experiences dealing with substance abusers under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112) and the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) of 1988 (P.L. 100-430). HUD's experience will be compared to that of the Social Security Administration (SSA), which struggled with the same issue implementing the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides income assistance to certain economically disadvantaged populations. The dissertation has two objectives: 1) to identify how different political institutions (for example, Congress, the courts, administrative agencies) choose to define alcohol and drug problems and 2) to investigate factors influencing how these different political institutions arrived at their decisions. The second objective will consider a broad array of potential factors including: the role of scientific research, changing theoretical perspectives on substance abuse, the role of special interests, public opinion, legislative history, legal precedent, and interactions among political institutions. This dissertation is using a case study research design, which will allow for examination of the complex interactions among political institutions, interests, and ideas. It will cover 30 years of federal policymaking involving the evolution of Congressional statutes, agency regulations, and court rulings. Drawing from multiple data sources, the dissertation will combine historical information as well as more recent data to provide insight into contemporary policymaking. The dissertation is relying on three types of data sources: 1) documents (for example, statutes, committee reports, regulations, case law, administrative interpretations), 2) archival records (for example, administrative data, budget/spending reports, client records), and 3) and interviews with key policymakers. The interviews are targeting congressional staff and federal agency officials, including those involved with policy development as well as legal staff. In addition, interviewees will include representatives of national advocacy groups involved with housing, substance abuse, and disability policymaking. |
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