Mandatory and discretionary Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mandatory and discretionary - Research Paper Example Mandatory spending is that part of the federal budget which is allocated by law toward the provision of such programs as social security and Medicare. Mandatory expenditures are the payments required by specific laws. Discretionary budgets are renewed annually as part of the budgeting activity (Novick, Morrow & Mays, 2014). This form of spending is negotiated by the President and the Congress every year through annual appropriation bills such as funding for cabinet department. Most public health programs fall within the mandatory budgets because they involve the allocation of proper medical care to the public through construction of health care facilities, building hospital, provision of health insurance and proper home care to the elders (Pickett & John, 1990). These programs also relate to creation of awareness to the public on benefits of maintain proper health. An example of an expenditure that is considered mandatory is funding for defense and security which is necessary to maintain law and order as well as security to the citizens. An example of a discretionary expenditure would be funding for such activities as housing, educations and space exploration (Pickett & John, 1990). This is so because, the weight of the needs of these services is not so mandatory but necessary for state