Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid And Testimony/Advocacy Statement

NRSE 6050 Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid And Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid And Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Maternal healthcare is one of the determinants of the quality, safety and efficiency of health in a state. The US is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is therefore expected to have the lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the world. However, statistics show that the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the US are significantly high. Consequently, this paper explores a proposed policy that aims at reducing the current rates and trends in maternal mortality and morbidity in the USA.

Advocacy Statement

Maternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue in the US despite it being a developed nation (Collier & Molina, 2019; Joseph et al., 2021). For example, statistics show that 60% of the maternal mortalities reported in the US are preventable. In addition, the risk of women of ethnic minority groups such as African American and American Indians dying from pregnancy related complications is three times that of the White women.

Women also experience different forms of mistreatment, as they receive their needed maternal healthcare (Morton et al., 2019). Therefore, the proposed bill should be adopted in the USA to address the identified issues. The bill will increase the maternal health outcomes as well as the quality of care mothers and pregnant women receive (Congress.gov, 2021). Through the bill, the USA will rank among the world’s leading nations with lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates. I will address the opponents in my position by presenting facts above the severity of the issue of maternal mortalities and morbidities in the US. I will also provide the socioeconomic implications of maternal mortalities and morbidities to the state. For example, I will explore the cost implications of the issue to the American economy and families.

Conclusion

The US currently has a high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. Significant disparities exist in maternal health outcomes due to ethnicity of the mothers and pregnant women. The proposed bill is important in ensuring equity in maternal healthcare and adoption of best practices to reduce and prevent maternal mortalities and morbidities. Therefore, it should be implemented to promote public health.

 References

Collier, A. Y., & Molina, R. L. (2019). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and Solutions. NeoReviews, 20(10), e561–e574. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.20-10-e561

Morton, C. H., VanOtterloo, L. R., Seacrist, M. J., & Main, E. K. (2019). Translating Maternal Mortality Review Into Quality Improvement Opportunities in Response to Pregnancy-Related Deaths in California. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 48(3), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.03.003

Joseph, K. S., Boutin, A., Lisonkova, S., Muraca, G. M., Razaz, N., John, S., … & Schisterman, E. (2021). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Recent Trends, Current Status, and Future Considerations. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 137(5), 763. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004361

Congress.gov. (2021, July 19). Text – H.Res.539 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Recognizing the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing mortality and morbidity among all women, and honoring mothers. (2021/2022) [Legislation]. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/539/text

Quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare services should be among the topmost government agendas. Despite the increased commitment to achieve high health outcomes, implementation barriers, inequalities, and social determinants of health continue to affect how health is offered. In response, different legislators formulate bills to advocate for better health at the national, community, and organizational levels. The purpose of this paper Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid And Testimony/Advocacy Statement is to analyze a health-related bill and advocate a position for it.

Legislation Grid

Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Healthcare providers and the government are mandated to promote health across populations. The bill focuses on a genuine healthcare issue, and its implementation should be expedited. In the current practice, barriers to access are widespread in rural areas, including affordability problems, inadequate providers, and a lack of motivation (Graves et al., 2022).

Consequently, as the bill proposes, Medicare sequestration for rural hospitals will be eliminated, among

other interventions for addressing cost and access problems. The continuity of care in rural settings will be instrumental in reducing health disparities. Besides, healthcare access is already prevalent in rural settings, implying that closing rural hospitals will exacerbate the problem (Coombs et al., 2022).

Therefore, the bill deserves maximum attention and quick implementation to ensure rural healthcare practitioners can serve communities without interruption.

Opposing this position implies contrasting the idea of healthcare continuity in rural areas. The best way to address opponents is engagement to ensure they understand the implications of healthcare disruption in rural areas. Purposeful engagement can help to change attitudes and earn their support. As Graves et al. (2022) noted, people in rural areas cover long distances to access healthcare services. Hence, closing rural hospitals would increase the distance.

Since healthcare practitioners and stakeholders are mandated to address health problems, advocating for health improvement in rural areas should be a universal responsibility. Above all, healthcare advancement in rural settings is critical for addressing cost problems that hamper health outcomes in rural and marginalized communities.

 Conclusion

Healthcare professionals and stakeholders use multiple interventions to address health problems. A legislative approach can help to address access, equity, and equality problems. The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act focuses on a critical issue hampering healthcare access in rural areas. As a result, its quick implementation is vital to prevent the possible closure of rural hospitals.

Assignment:

• Congress.gov. (2023). H.R.6400- Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/6400?s=1&r=29
• Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2
• Graves, J. M., Abshire, D. A., & Alejandro, A. G. (2022). System- and individual-level barriers to accessing medical care services across the rural-urban spectrum, Washington State. Health Services Insights, 15, 11786329221104667. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786329221104667
• South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. (2023). Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act  Advocacy Campaign. https://sdaho.org/2022/04/04/save-americas-rural-hospitals-act-advocacy-campaign/

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

To Prepare:

• Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Comparison Grid; 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this paper is to articulate a clear and compelling advocacy statement in support of the Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021. I’ll also talk about how I’d approach opponents in my position. My information will include two course-specific resources as well as outside resources. This paper aims to highlight the impact of social determinants such as income, age, education, and gender on this legislation and outline strategies to address potential opposition. The ultimate goal is to underscore the importance of this Act in promoting health equity and improving healthcare accessibility for all. The paper will also present a grid with a bill.

Healthcare affordability is an essential entitlement that ought to be universally available, irrespective of one’s socioeconomic standing. The Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021 aims to make this a reality by expanding premium assistance. This expansion would reduce the financial burden on low-income households, enabling them to access the same quality of healthcare as those with higher incomes. This is a crucial step towards ensuring health equity in our society.

Moreover, affordable healthcare has far-reaching benefits beyond individual health outcomes. It eases the burden on public health resources, which benefits our society as a whole. When individuals can afford regular check-ups and preventative care, they are less likely to require emergency care, which is often more costly. This not only benefits the individual but also reduces the overall cost of healthcare in our society.

In conclusion, the Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021, with its focus on affordable healthcare, is a much-needed piece of legislation. It addresses the pressing issue of health disparities, promotes health equity, and could potentially stimulate economic growth. Therefore, I strongly advocate for the passage of this bill. It represents a significant step towards a future where everyone, regardless of their income, can access quality healthcare. This is not just a matter of health but of social justice and equity.

Part 1: Legislative Grid

Part 2: Advocacy statement

I stand in strong support of the Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 (S. 352). In an era where access to quality healthcare is a pressing concern, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (ACA; P.L. 111–148) has improved health care, but its flaws have left many American families without affordable coverage.  The Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021 emerges as a potential solution to address the existing gaps in the system. It aims to expand access to affordable healthcare, reduce healthcare costs, and strengthen Medicaid. It represents a significant step towards achieving health equity and improving health outcomes across the country. This advocacy statement aims to shed light on the key provisions of the act, its potential impact on patients and healthcare providers, and the imperative need for its widespread adoption. The widespread adoption of the Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021 is crucial for ensuring a more efficient and equitable healthcare system for all. For example, the act includes provisions that increase Medicaid eligibility and provide subsidies for low-income individuals, which will expand access to affordable healthcare for marginalized communities. This will help address the existing gaps in the system by reducing disparities in healthcare access and affordability. Additionally, the act promotes the use of telemedicine and innovative technologies, which can help improve health outcomes and reduce costs by enabling remote consultations and monitoring for patients in rural areas or with limited mobility (S.352- Healthcare Improvement Act 2021- Congress.gov, n.d.).

The social determinants of health, including income, age, education, and gender, significantly influence the outcomes of this legislation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). For instance, income level often determines the quality of healthcare one can afford. By expanding premium assistance, this bill ensures that low-income households can access affordable healthcare. Age is another crucial factor, with older ageing adults typically requiring more medical care. The expansion of Medicaid can help ensure that our ageing population receives the necessary care.  Education level often correlates with health literacy, which impacts an individual’s ability to understand and navigate the healthcare system. By establishing a public health insurance option, this legislation simplifies the process, making healthcare more accessible regardless of educational background. Lastly, gender disparities in healthcare are well-documented, with women often facing higher healthcare costs. This bill’s measures can help mitigate these disparities, promoting gender equity in healthcare (Summary of S. 352 (117th): Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 – GovTrack.us, n.d.).

To those who oppose this bill due to concerns about potential costs, I would argue that the cost of inaction is far greater. Without reforms like those proposed in this bill, healthcare costs will continue to rise, and more Americans will go without the care they need. Furthermore, provisions like the negotiation of drug prices could lead to significant savings.  While it’s true that public funding will be required, the long-term benefits, such as a healthier population and reduced healthcare costs due to preventative care, outweigh the short-term financial implications.

Others may express concern about the potential impact on private insurance companies. To this end, we can highlight that the public health insurance option is just that—an option. It provides an alternative for those who find private insurance unaffordable or inaccessible, promoting competition and potentially driving down costs for consumers.

To those who prefer other methods of health care reform, I would emphasize that this bill does not preclude other reforms. Rather, it provides a foundation upon which additional reforms can be built. The establishment of a public health insurance option, for example, could pave the way for further reforms. For those who are skeptical about this bill, it is important to recognize that it allows for future changes and improvements in the healthcare system.

In conclusion, the Healthcare Improvement Act of 2021 is a comprehensive and inclusive approach to healthcare reform. It addresses key social determinants of health and aims to reduce health disparities, making it a crucial piece of legislation that deserves our support.

Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

1. Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
2. Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
3. Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
4. Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
5. Is it receiving press coverage?

 President Obama’s administration signed the controversial Affordable Care Act (ACA) without bipartisan support in 2010. The ACA emphasizes enhancing access to healthcare through insurance reform, which is evident because of the importance of healthcare over public health (Hardcastle et al., 2011). Gains in health status are most effectively and economically achieved through their integration into a single health system, even though policymakers typically think of health care and public health as separate systems (Hardcastle et al., 2011). Because of this mindset, we have not experienced the cost benefits we seek from our healthcare reform.  At this time, this bill has created a debt that our country cannot afford to sustain. Unfortunately, no other alternative has available that addresses rewarding Americans who maintain healthy lifestyle choices.

Repealing the Affordable Cares Act

While President Trump was in office, there was the last significant attempt to repeal ACA by a vote of 49 to 51 during the summer of 2017 (McIntyre & Song, 2019). The loss of repeal illustrates how strongly the written bill was during the previous administration. Congress values the opinion of its constituents. ACA bill signed by President Obama in 2010 caused Americans to disagree. However, legislators soon learned that attempting to repeal would either gain or lose voters. Over the past ten years, almost every Republican fiscal plan has included repealing the ACA and significant cuts to Medicaid, resulting in additional healthcare costs for millions of Americans (McIntyre & Song, 2019). Repealing would also cause Americans to be no longer protected for pre-existing conditions, causing the loss of health care coverage for millions and threatening our vulnerable populations, such as seniors and individuals with disabilities. Diagnosed with COVID-19 would have excluded more than 120,000 people in Maryland based on repeal for pre-existing conditions (Rapfogel et al., 2020). People under 26 benefited from the ACA because they were allowed to stay insured on their parent’s insurance while attending college. This population was at a greater risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19 when colleges resumed in-person learning (Rapfogel et al., 2020).

Voter Opinions Matter to Politicians  

     The legislators understand that the American voters have the final say on whether or not they stay in office, which is why many Republican legislators have avoided opposing or replacing the ACA (Marcos, 2017). Voter opinion of and analysis of the ACA has significantly impacted the legislative leader’s decisions on Medicaid, Medicare, and other government policies (Marcos, 2017). Despite the continued debate over the ACA, in 2017, 60% of Americans believed that the government should ensure everyone can access to health insurance (McIntyre & Song, 2019). Being on the wrong side of this issue could cause a legislator to lose their seat in office.  

Legislation Grid Template

Legislation Grid Template

Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Health-related Bill Name

Helping Health Care Workers Afford Child and Elderly Care Act
Bill Number S.3567

Description

Healthcare providers have an essential role to play in the provision of care to the diverse populations. In doing this, they also have the responsibility to ensure that they address the healthcare needs of those who depend on them. In specific, the healthcare providers should be able to afford the care that their children and elderly parents need.

This implies that there is a need for a legislation that provides the healthcare givers with the financial support that they need in ensuring that the health needs of their children and elderly parents are met (Crawshaw et al., 2020). Therefore, the Helping Health Care Workers Afford Child and Elder Care Act has been proposed to achieve this outcome.

Federal or State?

The bill is a state bill. It seeks to ensure that all the states adopt the bill to ensure that healthcare providers can afford the care that their children and elderly need. The bill aims to enhance the affordability, accessibility, and availability of the care that those dependent on healthcare providers need.
Legislative Intent The Helping Healthcare Workers Afford Child and Elder Care Act targets mainly the essential workers in the state.

The essential workers as defined in the bill include the health-sector workers, sanitation workers, workers who are unable to telework, emergency responders, and employees of the businesses that must be open during public emergencies. According to the bill, there should be an increase in the funding for the bill to achieve its objective.

The states are obligated to allocate $500000 in the fiscal year 2020. The funds are to be used for the provision of child care services for the essential workers, daytime care services as well as adult protective services for individuals that are household members of essential workers or dependent on household workers and require healthcare services.

The funds are proposed to reimburse for the essential workers for costs to be incurred in seeking services including emergency care services and child care services for the children and elderly depending on the essential workers. The eligibility of the children and elderly for the funds shall not be conditioned on a means test (Shaheen, 2020).

Proponents/ Opponents Proponents

Currently, five senators have co-sponsored the bill. The senators include Baldwin Tammy, Hassan Margaret Wood, Harris Kamala, Reed Jack, and Durbin Richard. According to the proponents of the bill, the bill will increase the access to care by the dependents of the health care workers. The bill will also lessen the burden of the disease to the healthcare workers. Through it, the health care workers will be assured of the support from the state on matters of health affecting their significant others.

Opponents

The bill currently does not have opponents for its implementation. However, it is anticipated that the bill will face some opposition from arguments that the existing health acts such as the Affordable Care Act addresses the needs of the elderly and children in different states. The bill might also face some resistance against its implementation due to the current huge wage bill in most of the states.

Target Population

The target population for the bill comprises mainly of the children and elderly who depend on essential workers.

Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)

The bill is currently on the hearing stage.

General Notes/Comments

The Health Care Workers Afford Child and Elder Care Act is an important bill that should be implemented by all the states in America. The bill seeks to lower the burden of a disease of health care needs for the essential workers. Essential workers play a critical role in the promotion of the health of the diverse populations.

The ability to provide high quality care to the populations in need depend largely on the manner in which their actual and potential needs as human beings are met. The bill seeks to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the essential workers by assuring them state support for the healthcare needs of their dependents.

Through it, the health care workers are expected to be highly motivated to engage in activities that promote the health and wellbeing of the general population. According to Niles (2019), legislative interventions that address the critical needs of the healthcare providers are critical in promoting their motivation in providing care to others.

Through the proposed bill, it is expected that the essential workers will be highly motivated to provide innovative and evidence-based care to their populations (Milstead, 2019; Olusegun & Tinuke, 2020). Consequently, I support its adoption in the states to address the needs of the healthcare givers too in supporting their families.

One of the interventions that I will utilize to address the opponents in my position is pointing out the essential role that healthcare workers play in our country. For example, I will use the effects of Covid19 on the population and healthcare workers to increase the relevance of the bill in supporting the needs of the essential workers.

I will also use principles of human resource management such as employee development to address opponents of the bill. For example, I will argue that implementing the bill will motivate the health care workers, hence, the promotion of the health and wellbeing of the population as a whole. Lastly, I will cite evidence from evidence-based studies and countries that have implemented similar acts in the past.

 References

• Crawshaw, J., Budhwar, P., & Davis, A. (2020). Human Resource Management: Strategic and International Perspectives. SAGE.
• Milstead, J. A. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
• Niles, N. J. (2019). Basic Concepts of Health Care Human Resource Management. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Olusegun, A., Sulaiman, & Tinuke, F. (2020). Human Resource Management Practices for Promoting Sustainability. IGI Global.
• Shaheen, J. (2020, March 22). S.3567 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): Helping Health Care Workers Afford Child and Elder Care Act (2019/2020) [Webpage]. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3567

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

1. Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
2. Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
3. Recommend at least one amendment to the bill in support of your position.

By Day 7 of Week 4

Submit your completed legislation comparison grid and testimony/advocacy statement.

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Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
• Recommend at least one amendment to the bill in support of your position.