Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.

NURS 6003 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.

Health-related Bill Name	Recognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring Mothers
Bill Number	H.Res.539
Description	Maternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue affecting the United States of America. The statistics presented in the bill shows that despite being a developed nation, America has the highest rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. The statistics also show that the risk for maternal mortality and morbidity is significantly elevated among women from ethnic minority groups when compared to the American natives. Women also experience challenges in their maternal care such as mistreatment that degrade their self-identity and autonomy. Based on the above maternal health-related issues, the Recognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring Mothers Act was proposed for implementation. The act seeks to address the issue by focusing on a number of aspects related to maternal health. Firstly, it seeks to raise the awareness of the public about maternal morbidity, mortality and the existence of disparities in maternal health-related outcomes. The bill also seeks to encourage states, Federal Government, territories, local communications and healthcare organizations among other stakeholders to take interventions that reduce the risk and rate of adverse maternal health outcomes as well as improve maternal safety. The other aims of the act include addressing and eliminating disparities in maternal health outcomes, ensuring the provision of equitable and respectively maternal care, honoring mothers who have died due to pregnancy-related complications, and supporting the collection of data on maternal morbidity and mortality. It also supports the need for further investment efforts to enhance maternal health and health outcomes as well as eliminate disparities in maternal healthcare.
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The legislative intent of the act is to recognize the seriousness of maternal morbidity and mortality issues in the US. The act also seeks to raise the awareness of the public and other stakeholders on the need to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Further, the act aims at ensuring the disparities in outcomes of maternal health are eliminated. Lastly, it aims at ensuring that mothers and pregnant women receive respectful care that meets their health needs.
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: They include Reps. Underwood Lauren, Kelly Robin, Spanberger Abigail Davis, Wexton Jennifer, and Adams Alma.
	Opponents: none
Target Population	The primary beneficiaries of the proposed bill are pregnant women and mothers. It also includes women from ethnic minorities. The secondary target population includes healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)	The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
General Notes/Comments	The proposed bill is a crucial bill that should be adopted in the US. The need for the bill is attributed to the high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the USA. Its implementation would therefore support the provision of care that addresses the needs of pregnant women and mothers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

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

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)

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:

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

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.

Thank you for this detailed and insightful discussion. I agree that while ACA was controversial because of the lack of bipartisan support in 2010, it has expanded access to healthcare insurance coverage in the United States. ACA made health coverage more affordable and accessible, thus, increasing the number of low-income households with coverage. I concur that repealing or replacing ACA is hard because removing the perceived benefits will be hard. ACA enrollees from different political affiliations (Republicans and Democrats) are unlikely to support a plan that would possibly leave them without coverage (McIntyre & Song, 2019). With most politicians risk-averse, looking for better ways to address the health insurance problem in America is the most viable solution to the impasse. For example, no politician would want to deny comprehensive insurance coverage to their constituents with pre-existing conditions (Milstead & Short, 2019). Therefore, the decision to replace or repeal ACA must be based on the diverse opinions and perspectives of the Americans benefiting from the Act.

By Day 7 of Week 4

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

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

• Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
• Click the Week 4 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
• Click the Week 4 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
• Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK4Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
• If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
• Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 4 Assignment Rubric

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:

Submit your Week 4 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 4

To submit your Assignment:

Week 4 Assignment

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Learning Resources

Required Readings
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)
 Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp.
180–183 only)

Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T.
(2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive
health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350.
doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003.

United States House of Representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from
https://www.house.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 115th Congress. Retrieved
September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm

Document: Legislation Grid Template (Word document)

Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Working with Legislators [Video file]. Baltimore, MD:
Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Health Policy and Law with Joel
Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Credit: Provided courtesy of the Laureate International Network of Universities.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Contemporary Issues in Public Health Policy with Joel
Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Peter Beilenson: Population Health [Video file].
Baltimore, MD: Author.

 Rubric Detail

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Content
Name: NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric

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Excellent Good Fair Poor
Federal and State Legislation

Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid

Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

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

Points Range: 32 (32%) – 35 (35%)

The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill.

Points Range: 28 (28%) – 31 (31%)

The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

Points Range: 25 (25%) – 27 (27%)

The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 24 (24%)

Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Advocating for Legislation

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.

Points Range: 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)

Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples.

A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided.

The response accurately and thoroughly recommends at least one amendment to the bill that fully supports the position.

Regardless of geographical location, race, culture, and other factors, all populations deserve quality, timely, and affordable health. Besides, health care providers and stakeholders should devise interventions for health promotion and the protection of vulnerable communities. Health care policies are instrumental in health promotion since they outline guidelines for benefitting patients, communities, and health care providers (Wolstenholme & McKelvie, 2019). As a result, Congress and other law-making bodies formulate health promotion bills to advance health in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a recently-proposed health-related bill and an advocacy statement supporting its legislation

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Health-related Bill Name	End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022
Bill Number	H.R. 8654 (Congress.gov, 2022).
Description	End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 underlines that the United States foreign assistance program has an obligation to end global tuberculosis (TB) pandemic through multifaceted interventions, including actions that support TB diagnosis and treatment among all adults and children and prevent new infections (Congress.gov, 2022; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). The bill also outlines the objectives and goals of TB-related policy, such as appropriate funding of comprehensive person-centered programs, capacity building among populations where the TB burden is high, and direct support to at-risk and impoverished populations.
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The bill’s intent is to prevent, cure, and treat tuberculosis globally. Besides, the bill ensures that at-risk populations are identified and get appropriate support.
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: Representative Ami Bera (Congress.gov, 2022).
	Opponents: no opponent has been noted
Target Population	All adults and children with all forms of Tuberculosis and at-risk populations in the United States (Congress.gov, 2022; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022).
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)	The bill is in the committees stage (House- Foreign Affairs)
General Notes/Comments	The bill focuses on a critical population health matter that deserves maximum attention from individuals, communities, health care providers, and governments. Generally, optimal health outcomes can only be achieved by protecting populations from infections, supporting health promotion programs, and identifying vulnerable populations. Since the bill will be instrumental in ending the TB pandemic and reducing health care costs, quick implementation is crucial. The federal government should also ensure that the United States foreign assistance program has adequate funding to achieve the health care goals outlined in the bill.

Part 2: Legislative Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Healthy populations are critical for a nation’s productivity and progressive economic well-being. The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 will be instrumental to people’s health and well-being and should be quickly implemented. It will be crucial to health and well-being since it promotes preventive health, which helps to reduce deaths, disability, and health inequities (Franklin & Sleet, 2018). Besides, the bill applies a global approach to achieve internal health outcomes since it will advance measures for protecting Americans from foreign TB infections. Such an approach will further help the nation to achieve Healthy People 2030 goals.

TB rates vary with populations’ characteristics. Social determinants of income affect the legislation of the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 since the variance in TB rates necessitates intervention programs specific to a population’s needs. Health research demonstrates a close link between TB and poverty since TB infections are high in low-income areas (Abou Jaoude et al., 2022). People living in low-income areas are likely to live in poorly ventilated and overcrowded conditions that are ideal for the spreading of TB bacteria. The rates of malnutrition and diseases such as HIV/AIDS are also high in low-income areas and increase TB resistance (Balinda et al., 2019). Such income-related outcomes necessitate adjustments in intervention measures since a universal approach cannot be used to promote health in populations with varying needs, vulnerabilities, and cultural practices.

Opponents should understand the implications of TB on populations, health care spending, and the progressive economic well-being of the nation. The best way to address them is through research and health statistics demonstrating the link between TB and adverse health outcomes. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) reported that TB is the leading infectious disease in the world and claims approximately 1.5 million lives annually. As a result, multifaceted health promotion programs are vital. Abou Jaoude et al. (2022) stated that Stop TB Partnerships and health promotion programs have helped to reduce TB spending. Similar measures underlined in the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 should be intensified to protect general and vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

Health care bills advance health through more funding, advocacy, and the protection of special populations, among other strategies. Implementing the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 will be instrumental in attaining healthy and productive populations. As a result, quick implementation of the bill is essential and more support from legislators is needed as well. The government should also supplement such interventions with other health promotion programs, particularly in vulnerable communities where TB rates are high.

References

Abou Jaoude, G. J., Baena, I. G., Nguhiu, P., Siroka, A., Palmer, T., Goscé, L., … & Haghparast-Bidgoli, H. (2022). National tuberculosis spending efficiency and its associated factors in 121 low-income and middle-income countries, 2010–19: a data envelopment and stochastic frontier analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 10(5), e649-e660. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00085-7

Balinda, I. G., Sugrue, D. D., & Ivers, L. C. (2019). More than malnutrition: a review of the relationship between food insecurity and tuberculosis. Open forum infectious diseases, 6(4), ofz102. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofz102

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Tuberculosis. https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/newsroom/topics/tb/index.html

Congress.gov. (2022). H.R. 8654– End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8654

Franklin, R. C., & Sleet, D. A. (2018). Injury prevention and health promotion: A global perspective. Health Promotion Journal of Australia: Official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 29(2), 113–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.191

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). U.S. global health legislation tracker. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/fact-sheet/u-s-global-health-legislation-tracker/

Wolstenholme, E., & McKelvie, D. (2019).The dynamics of care: Understanding people flows in health and social care. Springer.

Points Range: 40 (40%) – 44 (44%)

Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example.

An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided.

The response accurately recommends at least one amendment to the bill that may support the position.

Points Range: 35 (35%) – 39 (39%)

Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate.

A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided.

The recommendation of an amendment to the bill in support of the position is inaccurate or incomplete.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 34 (34%)

Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing.

A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided.

The recommendation of an amendment to the bill in support of the position is inaccurate and incomplete, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:

Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.

Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.

A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.

No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:

Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation

Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.

Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct APA format with no errors.

Points Range: 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.

Points Range: 3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100
Name: NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric

Legislative Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement 

Nurses have critical advocacy roles that lead to increased access to health care by understanding policies and new legislation aimed at effective care delivery. Legislation is a critical part of developing health care policies that allow millions to access care. In this legislation grid, the paper reviews a Congressional health care related bill and its effect on health population. The paper also provides an advocacy statement concerning the bill. 

Legislation Grid Template 

Health-related Bill Name	H. R. 1884
Bill Number	Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019
Description	Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. representing the sixth Congressional district from New Jersey introduced the bill to the House on March 26 2019 (Congress.Gov, 2021).
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The aim of the bill is to review various requirements for private health insurance plans associates with plan-holder cost sharing. The bill increases premium assistance for low-income individuals and households to allow them get coverage. The bill also expands coverage affordability requirements for employer-sponsored plans to cover employees’ family members (Congress.Gov, 2021). The bill bars certain actions by agencies that weaken the Affordable Care Act’s requirements concerning the respective plans.
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: Proponents of the bill include its sponsors and cosponsors that are a majority Democrats, health care providers and professional associations.
	Opponents: Opposition may come from insurance plan providers, and Republican lawmakers opposed to ACA as well as lobby groups for different players in health care sector.
Target Population	The bill targets employees and their family who are not eligible on such plans. It also targets those enrolled on ACA and seeks to expand insurance exchanges and coverage.
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)	The bill has been referred to various committees that include Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Education and Labor. The bill currently is with the health subcommittee of the house.
General Notes/Comments	The bill is a critical step in expanding health insurance benefits as advanced by the Affordable Care Act. Accessibility to primary health care services is critical for millions of Americans and this expansion will aid in improving overall access and quality of care for many individuals and families.

Part 2: Legislative Testimony/Advocacy Statement 

The need to enhance access to health care for millions of Americans is important to the country, particularly at this time due to increased demand for healthcare services as a result of different issues that include infectious diseases and an aging population. A host of insurance plans enable millions of Americans to access healthcare service and enhance their overall wellbeing (Taylor et al., 2017). According to official statistics, the Affordable Care Act enabled over 20 million Americans to have medical and health insurance. The current bill, H.R. 1884- Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019 seeks to protect individuals that have pre-existing conditions and ensure that many can access cost-friendly healthcare. Political actions are important in protecting the vulnerable population, especially in accessing care and being part of the health care provision (American College of Physicians, 2019). Imperatively, the bill is important in improving overall benefits to individuals and families that still lack access to healthcare, particularly those from low-income household and areas. reviewing existing requirements by private health insurance plans is important in assisting Americans have affordable care plans using state exchanges.  

Opposing the bill will deny millions of Americans the chance to access healthcare services at affordable cost and address the unique healthcare demands. By passing the bill, Congress will be protecting gains from ACA and moving the country closer to a universal health care plan for all Americans. As such, no opposition to the bill stands any justification. More and effective legislations will be critical in protecting the benefits of ACA and ensuring that primary care becomes affordable, especially for people with existing medical conditions (Keith, 2019). The enactment of the bill will allow many families to access care and improve overall healthcare outcomes.   

Conclusion 

Expanding healthcare access through health insurance plans will help millions of American families to live better lives and mitigate the financial burden of providing care. Therefore, this bill, if enacted, will address a host of current issues affecting many families in the country in relation to care accessibility.  

References 

American College of Physicians (2019). ACP Letter of Support for the Protecting  

Pre-existing Conditions Bill. https://www.acponline.org/acp_policy/letters/acp_letter_of_support_for_hr1884_protecting_preexisting_conditions_2019.pdf 

Congress.GOV (2021). H.R.1884 – Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and  

Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1884 

Keith, K. (2019 March 27). House Democrats Introduce Bill to Strengthen The  

ACA. Health Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190327.894190/full/ 

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E. F., Woods, N. F., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., &  

Hagan, T. (2017). Position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing outlook, 65(2), 242-245. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003