LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

Sample Answer for LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050 Included After Question

Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in the statement from page 27 of Feldstein (2006) affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses such as the one portrayed by the Feldstein statement may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid).

Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

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.

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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. NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Example 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.

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 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. NURS 6050 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Example

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

Title: LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

Nurses experience events and situations that motivate them to assume the advocacy role in hopes of influencing policies, regulations, and laws related to healthcare and care provision. To do so, they have to enter into the less familiar political and policy making spheres to demonstrate their interests by evaluating proposed bills and their overall effects on the target health populations, the nursing profession and the healthcare industry at large. The purpose of this assignment is to review a selected health-related bill that has been proposed in Congress and complete the Legislation Grid Template to determine its intent, proponents and opponents, the target population and issue an advocacy statement or testimony.

Health-related Bill Name	Mobile Health Record Act of 2019
Bill Number	H.R.1390
Description	Mobile Health Record Act of 2019 was introduced in the house on February 27, 2019 and was sponsored by Susan Brook, the house representative from the fifth Congressional District in Indiana. The bill’s co-sponsors include Yvettte Clarke the New York representative of 9th Congressional District, Levine Mike from California, Schweikert David from Arizona and Gottheimer Josh from New Jersey. The proposal mandates the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a program, which ensures Medicare enrollees link their data using reliable applications, services and research initiative. The bill also requires enrollees to access information using a mobile health record application of their choice and one that is approved by the CMS and meets the specified requirements. The CMS must make such information accessible to such applications as stipulated by the current Blue Button 2.0 program. The proposed legislation also mandates federal payments to states that opt to develop or purchase similar applications for the enrollees.
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The legislative intends to change the Social Security Act with the aim of offering benefits from part A or part B of the Medicare programs. These include individuals who enroll in state programs under Medicaid. The bill will empower the beneficiaries to access personal medical data that comprises of prescribed medicines, their diagnoses, providers and tests through the use of their selected mobile health records applications.
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: Proponents of the bill include the representatives introducing and supporting it, healthcare providers like nurses and physicians, software development companies and startups, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
	Opponents: Opponents may include insurance companies that have always had the monopoly to offer consultancy services to the beneficiaries.
Target Population	Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)	The sponsor introduced the bill in Congress in 2019. The bill went to the respective Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill is currently in the Committee of Ways and Means’ subcommittee on Health. Lastly, while the bill has received substantial amount of coverage, it is still new and at the committee stage.
General Notes/Comments	The need to expand access to health care, especially for older Americans and individuals with chronic conditions, is essential as the country continues to battle pandemics like the Coronavirus disease of 2020. The use of health information technology models like mobile health expands access, particularly to underserved and susceptible populations. Therefore, the bill seeks to enhance access to information and allow individuals to have effective management and involvement in their health decisions (Bouayad et al., 2017). By allowing Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to access personal health information through mobile applications, the bill expands care and individual autonomy to make decisions.

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Access to healthcare remains one of the fundamental goals of different administrations, particularly at this time when the country and the world are battling a resurgence in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant. The cost of healthcare continues to rise, particularly for those from low-income households and neighborhood and racial minorities. Initiating different interventions such as the introduction of Mobile Health Records Act of 2019 will ensure that these people can access healthcare at affordable cost. The bill focuses on improving access to care information at an individual level by using novel technology. In their study, Dameff et al. (2019) advance that the deployment of mobile health records platforms can enhance health delivery and outcomes. The authors emphasize the need to embrace health information technology models to enhance overall care delivery, particularly access to personal health records.

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The main concern should be on whether the model through the provision of access to personal health information can improve care outcomes at the minimal cost while maintaining the quality of care service (Snezana et al., 2020). It is essential to know that the advent of electronic health records and expanded use of Internet platforms and smart technologies have led to seamless flow of critical clinical information among care organizations and providers (Harahap et al., 2021). Imperatively, if the same can be attained at a personal level, it will enhance patient involvement in decision making concerning their care plans and interventions.

LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT NURS 6050

The approach will also enhance individuals’ ability to make informed choices concerning the use of healthcare services. Opposition to this Act can only arise due to unproven status of such applications in improving access and quality of care (Niazkhani et al., 2020). Such positions can be addressed by looking at the success of models like the electronic health records, the use of telehealth and telemedicine, and even artificial intelligence in care provision and reducing the cost of healthcare.

 Conclusion

The Mobile Health Records Act of 2019 is a mobile version of EHRs and should be passed and enacted into law to enhance access to care and reduce the overall costs. The use of such technologies will also enhance patients’ participation in their treatment plans and interventions and allow them to make better informed choices and decisions.

 References

Bouayad, L., Ialynytchev, A., & Padmanabhan, B. (2017). Patient health record

systems scope and functionalities: Literature review and future directions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(11), e388.

doi: 10.2196/jmir.8073.

Congress.GOV. (2021). H.R.1390 – Mobile Health Record Act of 2019.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1390/committees

Dameff, C., Clay, B., Longhurst, C. A. (2019). Personal Health Records: More

Promising in the Smartphone Era? JAMA, 321(4):339-340.

doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.20434.

Harahap, N. C., Handayani, P. W., & Hidayanto, A. N. (2021). Functionalities and

issues in the implementation of personal health records: Systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(7), e26236.

doi: 10.2196/26236

Niazkhani, Z., Toni, E., Cheshmekaboodi, M., Georgiou, A., & Pirnejad, H.

(2020). Barriers to patient, provider, and caregiver adoption and use of electronic personal health records in chronic care: a systematic review. BMC medical informatics and decision making, 20(1), 1-36.

doi: 10.1186/s12911-020-01159-1

Snezana, S., Kilintzis, V., Jakimovski, B., Jolevski, I., Beredimas, N., Mourouzis,

A., … & Trajkovik, V. (2020, September). Cloud Based Personal Health Records Data Exchange in the Age of IoT: The Cross4all Project. In International Conference on ICT Innovations (pp. 28-41). Springer, Cham.

Legislation Grid Template

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

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.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare, has been a highly contentious topic in American politics (US Department of Health & Human Services, 2022). Efforts to repeal or replace the ACA have been influenced by various aspects, including the cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of legislators’ re-election and the views of voters. When analyzing the cost-benefit part of the ACA, legislators are mindful of how their position on this issue may affect their re-election chances. The ACA has supporters and opponents, and legislators must consider the potential impact on their constituents’ opinions. Legislators may sometimes align their stance with their party’s position to maintain party loyalty and secure campaign funding from interest groups. Repealing the ACA has been a long-standing objective for some lawmakers, driven by ideological beliefs.

Legislators who support repealing the ACA argue that it will reduce government spending, lower taxes, and promote individual freedom in healthcare choices. These positions resonate with specific voter demographics, particularly those who oppose government intervention in healthcare. In supporting this perspective, legislators can appeal to constituents prioritizing fiscal conservatism and limited government involvement (Ballotpedia, n.d.). However, it is essential to note that the ACA also has strong support from a significant population who value its provisions, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and expanded access to insurance. The ACA’s popularity has grown, and public opinion surveys consistently show that most Americans favor preserving or strengthening it. Legislators recognizing this shift may hesitate to advocate for repeal or replacement, fearing it could alienate many voters. Moreover, the ACA’s widespread implementation has resulted in tangible benefits for many Americans, such as increased insurance coverage and the closing of Medicare Part D (Keohane & Hwang, 2022). These outcomes can influence voters’ perceptions and affect legislators’ re-election prospects.

Voters’ views are crucial in shaping legislative decisions, particularly regarding national policies like Medicare or Medicaid. However, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected; they must also consider the needs and desires of their constituents to maintain their support (Keohane & Hwang, 2022). Public opinion on healthcare policies can heavily influence legislators’ positions and actions. Analyzing voters’ views involves assessing public opinion through surveys, town hall meetings, and other communication channels. Legislative leaders pay attention to these indicators to understand the priorities and concerns of their constituents. Suppose most voters support an individual healthcare policy, such as expanding Medicaid or preserving critical provisions of the ACA. In that case, legislators may be inclined to support themselves accordingly to secure their re-election prospects (Willison & Singer, 2017).

Moreover, voter sentiment can affect legislative leaders’ recommendations and positioning on national policies. As legislators engage with their constituents, they gain insight into the potential consequences of their actions and how their decisions may impact the lives of those they represent. By considering voters’ views, legislative leaders can assess the potential backlash or support they may face from their constituents, informing their decision-making process.

The efforts to repeal or replace the ACA have been influenced by the cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of legislators’ re-election and the views of voters (Willison & Singer, 2017). While some legislators may support repeal or replacement to appease certain interest groups or adhere to ideological beliefs, the ACA’s growing popularity and the tangible benefits it has provided many Americans have made such efforts challenging. Voters’ views, as expressed through public opinion and interactions with legislators, significantly impact legislative decisions, particularly regarding national healthcare policies. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers to navigate the complex intersection of politics and healthcare and ensure that guidelines are developed in the best interest of society.

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	The Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019.
Bill Number	H.R.4769 bill
Description	The bill was introduced by Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Jan Schakowsky. The bill would increase competition and reduce cost of drugs for the elderly and persons with disabilities who are registered in the Medicare part D prescription drug initiative. This Act would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to negotiate for reduced prescription drug prices by establishing Medicare-administered prescription drug plans to compete with costly, privately administered prescription drug plan that is currently provided under Medicare Part D (Durbin, 2019).
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The intention of this bill is to increase competition and reduce cost of drugs for the elderly and persons with disabilities who are registered in the Medicare part D prescription drug program. The bull also intends to protect consumers from predatory price gouging by the big pharmaceutical companies by enabling the federal government to negotiate with these companies (Durbin, 2019).
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: The proponents of the bill include the elderly and persons with disabilities who are enrolled under the Medicare part D. Ordinarily, the elderly band the persons with disabilities tend to have financial challenges yet they are among the heavy consumers of health care. As such, they are likely to support this bill since it intends to reduce the cost of drugs that are currently expensive and unaffordable to many. The other potential supporters include human rights and lobby groups who champions for the rights of the vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities since the bill intends to reduce health care inequality by ensuring that the target population have access to quality health care.
	Opponents:  The potential opponents of this bill are big pharmaceutical companies. Pharmaceutical companies tend to take advantage of the consumers by increasing the prices of the drugs to make big profits. However, the implementation of this bill is likely to reduce their profitability since the federal government through the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate for fair drug prices for the elderly and persons with disabilities who are registered in the Medicare part D prescription drug program.
Target Population	The elderly and persons with disabilities who are registered in the Medicare part D prescription drug program.
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)	The bill is still at the committee hearing levels.
General Notes/Comments	If adopted, the legislation would play a critical role of safeguarding the elderly and persons with disabilities by providing options to the confusing private prescription medication plans, formulary changes, and marketing practices that have difficulties in the interpretation of Medicare part D plans (US Congress, 2020). Notably, the prescription plan administered by the Medicare does not intend to eradicate the private plans that are presently provided, but only seek to provide competition, which eventually, would ensure reduction of the cost of drugs in the private plans as well.

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement 

Currently, the US is facing a challenge of high cost of medications and the situation is extremely severe that the government is planning to allow states to buy prescription medications from other countries like Canada to help in reducing cost of medications (Williams, 2019). Essentially, if has reached a point where the nation ponders going to other countries for medications, then the situation is disturbing. It is against this backdrop of high cost of medications that I support the Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019 since it has the potential to curb the cost of medications. This Act will provide the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services the authority to negotiate with drug companies to ensure reasonable prices of drugs and provide optional medications with the similar value, but reduced price (US Congress, 2020). Overtime, the pharmaceutical companies have put more interest in the profitability at the expense of life of the citizens. However, with the passage of this bill, the issue will be resolved and the health care consumers will be relieved from the burden of high cost of drugs.  

Various ways can be used to address the opponents of this bill. First, it is critical to create awareness through education on the essence and benefits of the bill. Ordinarily, many people can oppose the bill due to lack of understanding on its value. This can be easily resolved through education.  The other strategy is to use real scenario and information to demonstrate to opponents the real picture of the value of supporting the legislation.  

References 

Durbin. (2019). Durbin, Schakowsky Introduces Legislation To Lower Drug Costs In Medicare Through Price Negotiation & Competition | U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-schakowsky-introduces-legislation-to-lower-drug-costs-in-medicare-through-price-negotiation-and-competition- 

US Congress. (2020). Text – H.R.4769 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4769/text 

Williams, L. (2019).Trump Plan Would Allow States To Buy Cheaper Prescription Drugs From Canada. https://www.ibtimes.com/trump-plan-would-allow-states-buy-cheaper-prescription-drugs-canada-2888113.