NURS 6050 Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid And Fact Sheet Or Talking Points Brief

Sample Answer for NURS 6050 Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid And Fact Sheet Or Talking Points Brief Included After Question

The health of children significantly depends on their access to health care services. Despite the improved health outcomes for children in the U.S. due to decreased rates of communicable diseases, recent economic and social changes have led to challenges to children’s health and their need for health services (Racine et al., 2014). Some of the health needs for children include chronic illness treatment, preventive care, prescription medicine, dental care, glasses, and mental health care. However, most uninsured children and those from low-income families have unmet health needs due to a lack of health insurance. The purpose of this assignment is to compare the administrative agendas of Presidents Trump, Obama, and Bush concerning health insurance for low-income children.

Identify the Population Health concern you selected.	Health insurance for low-income children.
Describe the Population Health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it.	Low-income children refer to children whose family income is above the eligibility for Medicaid but below the 200% poverty level, which is about $32,000 for a family of four. These children have high rates of uninsurance. Uninsurance inhibits access to care and significantly affects the health outcomes of U.S. children. Among the approximately 47 million uninsured Americans, more than 9 million are uninsured children. High uninsurance rates among low-income children are attributed to low family income, family structure, and racial, ethnic, and cultural factors.
Administration (President Name)	President Trump	President Obama	President Bush
Describe the administrative agenda focus related to this issue for the current and two previous presidents.	President Trump’s agenda was to repeal and block grants for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to the states (Saltzman & Eibner 2016).	President Obama’s administrative agenda was to ensure the health and well-being of children in the U.S (Hern, 2020).	President Bush’s agenda was to expand public program coverage, particularly for children and low-income individuals and families (Gorin & Moniz, 2007).
Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue.	In 2017, President Trump proposed cutting CHIP by 20%.In 2018, the Trump administration proposed slashing CHIP $7 billion.In 2019, the president’s budget included an almost $1.5 trillion cut to Medicaid .	Obama signed a bill that added $32.8 billion to the CHIP program (Hern, 2020).The amount allowed coverage of an additional 4.1 million children.	President Bush increased funding to commit health centers to help individuals that live in underserved and rural areas, including many uninsured people, low-income individuals, migrant farmworkers, homeless individuals, and children (Gorin & Moniz, 2007).
Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue.	President Trump increased barriers to accessing CHIP benefit programs through increasing burdens and imposing work requirements (Saltzman & Eibner 2016).	President Obama signed the Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2009 into law (Racine et al., 2014). The law provided health care coverage for an additional 4 million children and pregnant women, including ‘lawfully residing immigrant’ pregnant with no waiting period (Racine et al., 2014).	President Bush vetoed two attempts to expand the CHIP program further (Gorin & Moniz, 2007).However, he helped states extend coverage to approximately 2.6 million low-income Americans eligible under Medicaid and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by granting states waivers and approving state plan amendments.He created an optional program for immigrant children, which improved access to health insurance for 423,000 children.

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis

Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid, complete the following to document information about the population health/healthcare issue your selected

Administration (President Name)	President Trump	President Obama	President Bush
Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected?	The Administration for Children & Families (ACF).ACF is a division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).It would help address the issue since it promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities that need assistance in funding, strategic partnerships, guidance, and training.	The Administration for Children & Families (ACF).ACF is a division of the U.S. HHS.It promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities that need assistance in funding, strategic partnerships, guidance, and training.	The Administration for Children & Families (ACF).ACF is a division of the U.S. HHS.It promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, and communities that need assistance in funding, strategic partnerships, guidance, and training.
How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents? How does it stay there?	Trump’s agenda was to block grants for CHIP, which would drastically increase the number of uninsured children (Saltzman & Eibner 2016).The issue of healthcare insurance for low-income children might get on President Trump’s agenda by creating a policy that limits the president from cutting funding to the CHIP.	The issue might get on Obama’s agenda on promoting the health and well-being of children by developing policies that increase CHIP funding to improve access to healthcare for children (Racine et al., 2014).The policies can help sustain the CHIP funding and increase the number of children who have medical insurance.	Bush’s agenda was to expand public program coverage for children and low-income families.The issue of health insurance for low-income children can get on Bush’s age by enacting laws that increase children’s insurance coverage through the CHIP (Racine et al., 2014).
Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents?	I would choose the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to be the sponsor on health insurance for children from low-income families.AAP is dedicated to health for all children.It offers consultation and technical assistance to individuals seeking to influence state government policy.AAP can be a great champion to advocate for investments in U.S children to promote child health and development.	I would choose the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to be the sponsor on healthcare for children from low-income families.AAP is dedicated to health for all children.It offers consultation and technical assistance to individuals seeking to influence state government policy.AAP can be a great champion to advocate for investments in U.S children to promote child health and development.	I would choose the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to be the sponsor on healthcare for children from low-income families.AAP is dedicated to health for all children.It offers consultation and technical assistance to individuals seeking to influence state government policy.AAP can be a great champion to advocate for investments in U.S children to promote child health and development.

Part 3 Narrative

The issue of health insurance for low-income children is crucial since children’s access to health care is essential to their families and society. Access to health care significantly influences a child’s growth and development, physical and emotional health, and their capacity to reach their full potential as adults (Racine et al., 2014). Children have a high risk of developing preventable diseases if they do not access appropriate health care when they are sick or injured. Providing state-funded health insurance for these children is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among children and promote healthier communities. Children without health insurance are six times more likely to go without health care than children with private insurance or Medicaid (Racine et al., 2014). They experience delays seeking health care since their parents are usually concerned about payment. Therefore, it is essential that legislation on increasing coverage of CHIP be considered to provide health coverage to uninsured children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage.

            The role of the nurse in agenda-setting for healthcare issues is to identify issues faced by patients in accessing care and those faced by providers in care delivery. Nurses have a role in presenting these issues to policymakers and proposing solutions to address them to improve access to care and patient care efficiencies (Williams et al., 2018). Besides, nurses can apply their knowledge and experiences to develop a policy proposal to help reduce the common healthcare issues (Williams et al., 2018). In agenda setting, the nurse has a role in advocating for their patients in order to have policies that improve their access to quality care.

Conclusion

Low-income children face numerous problems, with access to health care being the most common and complex. Lack of health insurance is a major barrier in accessing adequate health care for this population in the United States. The Children Health Insurance Program was established to provide child health assistance to uninsured, low-income children effectively and efficiently coordinated with other sources of health benefits coverage for children. Presidents Obama and Bush sought to increase health coverage for low-income children and passed laws that expanded CHIP coverage to millions of children. On the other hand, President Trump’s agenda was to cut funding for CHIP, leading to high rates of uninsured children.

References

Racine, A. D., Long, T. F., Helm, M. E., Hudak, M., Shenkin, B. N., Snider, I. G., … & Committee on Child Health Financing. (2014). Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Accomplishments, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations. Pediatrics, 133(3), e784-e793. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-4059

Gorin, S. H., & Moniz, C. (2007). Why does President Bush oppose the expansion of SCHIP?. Health & social work, 32(4), 243. DOI:10.1093/hsw/32.4.243

Hern, L. S. (2020). Resisting “Politics as Usual”: The Obama Era of Healthcare Reform. In Single-Payer Healthcare Reform (pp. 127-180). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.

Saltzman, E., & Eibner, C. (2016). Donald Trump’s health care reform proposals: Anticipated effects on insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and the federal deficit. The Commonwealth Fund, 32, 1-14.

Williams, S. D., Phillips, J. M., & Koyama, K. (2018). Nurse Advocacy: Adopting a health in all policies approach. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No03Man01

Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief Assignment Template for Part 1 and Part 2

The opioid abuse and addiction has been a continuing challenge for many years. The most commonly misused and addictive opioids include heroin, prescription opioids, and synthetic opiods like Fentanyl. Opioid misuse and addiction has caused serious negative outcomes including deaths and disabilities (Park & Otte, 2019). Moreover, the problem does not only affect the health but also the social and economic wellbeing of Americans. This paper seeks to explore how Presidents Trump, Obama, and Bush administrations addressed this issue as an administrative agenda.

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid

Use this Agenda Comparison Grid to document information about the population health/healthcare issue your selected and the presidential agendas. By completing this grid, you will develop a more in depth understanding of your selected issue and how you might position it politically based on the presidential agendas.

You will use the information in the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid to complete the remaining Part 2 and Part 3 of your Assignment.

Identify the Population Health concern you selected.	Opioid concerns
Describe the Population Health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it.	Drug and substance abuse in US continues to bring several adverse effects such as mortality and disabilities. In particular, opioids is highly prevalent and has turned into crisis that is currently ravaging many people. The issue of opioids mostly emanates from inadequate information on medications prescriptions (Kaye et al., 2017).
Administration (President Name)	President Trump	President Obama	President Bush
Describe the administrative agenda focus related to this issue for the current and two previous presidents.	The administration of President Trump approached the issue of opioids crisis by declaring it as a public health emergency. Trump then opted to address the issue by controlling the supply and distribution among the masses, increasing access to prevention, treatment services, and recovery services to the victims.	The agendas President Obama’s administration implemented to curb the opioid crisis included setting legal framework to address the issue through legislation, enhancing better and efficient access to healthcare and limiting the capacity of prescribers to overprescribe.	The administration of President Bush considered the opioid issue mostly as a criminal issue rather a public health concern. As such, the administration invested heavily on law enforcement agencies to fight the drug issue.  .
Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue.	According the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (2019), President Trump allocated more than $1.8 billion to be distributed to states to address the opioid crisis and expand access to treatment and also support near-real data on the crisis of drug overdose.	President Obama prioritized fight against opioid overdose and created measures to reduce drug use and overuse. In 2016, Obama proposed $1.1 Billion to be used in addressing the prescription opioid abuse and heroin use epidemic (The White House, 2016)	According to the White House (2002), President allocated nearly $2.3 billion dollars to help in interdicting drugs and prevent them from reaching the borders. This allocation was an increment of about 10% from the previous year. He also allocated human resources, especially security agencies to help guarding coastlines and borders to prevent illegal importations.
Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue.	The Trump administration approached the opioids crisis using strategies such as deterrence, treatment, helping in recovery, studies on addiction and pain, and advanced pain management practice.	The Obama administration approached the issue by enhancing capacity for healthcare services and also increasing Medicaid coverage to the underserved and rural communities to increase access to healthcare services. The administration also provided education on healthcare professionals to enhance awareness and treatment and also help in treatment medication and reduction of stigma.	The Bush administration approached the issue through funding to help in management and also treating it as criminal issue, with much emphasis based on law enforcement agencies to address the issue from the  crime perspective, while little attention was given healthcare approach.

 

A Sample Answer for The Assignment: NURS 6050 Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid And Fact Sheet Or Talking Points Brief

Title: NURS 6050 Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid And Fact Sheet Or Talking Points Brief

There is an increasing need for advanced care providers among people suffering from kidney-related conditions such as kidney failure (American Nurses Association. (2013). My choice of becoming a registered nurse and specializing in Hemodialysis was partly impacted by observing the situation in the minority groups of the population. I worked for Fresenius Kidney Care in Phoenix, Arizona, specializing in Hemodialysis. One of my favorite aspects of my role was tending to the patients in intensive care from minority groups in the community. I also enjoyed preparing nurses for their internship and orienting newly graduate students on the procedures we follow in our department. Although getting my bachelor’s degree was an outstanding achievement, I always wanted to upgrade my career since I felt that my current level did not provide enough power to alternate patient care with other treatment plans. I had a passion for furthering my education, but I had no idea what to major in as my professional role. However, I knew that I did not want to be confined to a position that did not involve interacting with multiple people. I love my job as a nurse as it has presented me with many opportunities that have contributed to my consideration of the total value of continuing with my education.

 I have experienced a significant shift in the way care is provided to patients from unreceptive to preventative, leaving a gap in areas of chronic disease management. I realized that to get to my goals, serve the needs of the patients and achieve full potential, I needed to get an advanced degree majoring in hemodialysis. According to Bickford et al. (2015), graduates with advanced degrees significantly impact the healthcare department since they greatly affect other medical practitioners. Despite having difficulties in making a decision, I believe that I made the right one. 

According to Echevarria (2018), it is essential to establish connections by joining professional nursing organizations. It helps define the nursing practices better and motivates them to provide care for the patients. Organizations offer programs and training workshops to help the members gain more skills in their field of operation. A professional organization associated with my chosen specialty is the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). The AAKP is a non-profit organization that is focused on serving the requirements of people with kidney problems and their close friends or relatives. The organization supports people dealing with the emotional, social, and physical impacts of kidney issues. Also, the association helps sick people to adapt to their current situations and the many challenges. Additionally, the organization provides numerous educational and reference materials such as monthly patient magazines. The membership of this organization is through the application. It involves making an application online and appearing for an interview to complete the registration process. It is also possible to join the organization via invitation from other members or a recommendation by a patient or client. 

In conclusion, I believe that joining the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) will help me achieve my goal of effectively reaching out to minority groups in the community with kidney conditions.   Thinking about advancing your career can be intimidating since you are not aware of what to expect. Nurses are lucky to be exposed to numerous readily available resources to help them in their education journey. A nurse is not limited to joining one organization as they all teach and provide different opportunities. I plan to work towards joining more than one organization to have competent skills. 

Agenda Comparison Grid Assignment Template for Part 1 and Part 2 

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid  

Use this Agenda Comparison Grid to document information about the population health/healthcare issue you selected and the presidential agendas. By completing this grid, you will develop a more in depth understanding of your selected issue and how you might position it politically based on the presidential agendas. 

You will use the information in the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid to complete the remaining Part 2 and Part 3 of your Assignment.  

Identify the Population Health concern you selected.	The Population Health concern selected is substance abuse and mental health.
Describe the Population Health concern you selected.	Substance abuse and mental health are critical Population Health concerns that affect individuals of all ages, genders, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2021), substance abuse continues to be a significant public health challenge in the United States, with an estimated 20.3 million adults (aged 18 or older) having a substance use disorder in the past year. Mental health disorders are also common, with a lifetime prevalence of 46.4% reported in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (Kessler et al., 2005). Substance abuse and mental health are often interrelated, with individuals experiencing both conditions at the same time. The co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental illness, known as dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders, can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The neurobiology of addiction has been described as a “behaviour gone awry” (Volkow & Li, 2005), and the relationship between substance abuse and mental illness is complex and multifactorial. Addressing substance abuse and mental health requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2018) reports that common comorbidities with substance use disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. Therefore, addressing substance abuse and mental health is critical to reducing the significant social, economic, and public health consequences associated with these conditions.
Administration (President Name)	President Biden	President Trump
Explain how each of the two presidential administrations approached the issue.	The Biden administration has made substance abuse and mental health a priority, recognizing the significant impact of these issues on individuals, families, and communities. President Biden has emphasized the need to expand access to treatment and support services for individuals with substance abuse and mental health disorders. One of the key strategies to address these issues is through the American Rescue Plan Act, which includes funding for mental health and substance use disorder services, among other health-related initiatives (White House, 2021). The Biden administration has also emphasized the importance of addressing systemic barriers to care, such as stigma and lack of access to healthcare. The President’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 includes significant investments in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention programs, with a focus on expanding access to care in underserved communities (White House, 2021).	The Trump administration’s approach to addressing substance abuse and mental health issues was more contentious. While the administration declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency in 2017, the proposed healthcare reforms under the Trump administration threatened to dismantle the ACA, which could have significantly reduced access to mental health and substance abuse treatment (Katz, 2018). In addition, the administration proposed cutting funding for mental health services, including the elimination of the SABG (Canady, 2022). However, the administration did launch initiatives such as the Crisis Next Door campaign, which aimed to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and substance abuse and promote awareness about the opioid epidemic (The White House, 2018).
Identify the allocations of resources that the current and previous presidents dedicated to this issue.	Under the previous administration, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) received significant funding to address substance abuse and mental health. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021), the Fiscal Year 2021 budget for SAMHSA was $6.9 billion, which included funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment programs, as well as mental health services. The budget also included funding for research on substance abuse and mental health disorders. Similarly, the Biden administration has proposed significant investments in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and prevention programs. The President’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 includes $8.7 billion for SAMHSA, which is an increase of $1.6 billion from the previous year’s budget (White House, 2021). The proposed funding includes support for expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment services, addressing the opioid epidemic, and improving access to care in underserved communities. Overall, both the previous and current administrations have recognized the importance of addressing substance abuse and mental health as critical population health concerns and have dedicated significant resources to these issues. To reduce the significant social, economic, and public health consequences of substance abuse and mental health disorders, continued investment in prevention, treatment, and research is required.	President Donald Trump’s administration proposed cutting funding for mental health services, including the elimination of the SABG (Canady, 2022). However, the administration did provide funding for the opioid epidemic, allocating $6 billion in funding for state and local governments to expand access to addiction treatment services and develop prevention initiatives (National Institutes of Health, 2019). Nevertheless, experts have argued that the proposed budget cuts to mental health and substance abuse services could have undermined the progress made in addressing these issues (Katz, 2018).

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis  

Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid, complete the following to document information about the population health/healthcare issue you selected 

Administration
Which administrative agency (like HHS, CDC, FDA, OHSA) would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected? Why is this agency the most helpful?	The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is mainly entrusted with strengthening access to mental health services and substance misuse recovery would likely be the regulatory agency most liable for aiding in the resolution of mental health problems (O’Rourke et al., 2017). The purpose of SAMHSA is to mitigate the detrimental consequences that drug misuse and mental disorder have on the population. SAMHSA delivers services for protection, treatment, and therapy to help individuals and families manage mental wellness and drug addiction concerns.
How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the presidential agenda? How does it stay there?	There must be a substantial level of public knowledge and lobbying for the issue for it to be included in the presidential agenda. Furthermore, for mental health to be part of the agenda, lawmakers and legislators must appreciate its relevance. Substance abuse and mental health may be placed on the presidential agenda through grassroots support programs, press coverage, and public outcry. Advocates may bring more attention to such concerns by sharing their own stories, organizing protests and events, and lobbying their politicians to push for reform.
Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor (this can be a celebrity, a legislator, an agency director, or others) of the healthcare issue you selected? An example is Michael J. Fox a champion for Parkinson’s disease.	Lady Gaga could be an excellent sponsor for mental health issues, because she has advocated for increased awareness of the issue and used her platform to do so. Lady Gaga is one powerful person who uses her influence to advance causes related to drug misuse and mental health. She has been transparent regarding her battles with psychological health, so she could utilize this to draw awareness to such problems. Lady Gaga has advanced the cause of mental health and drug abuse by collaborating with advocacy groups and businesses that focus on these issues. She has promoted these companies and their work by showing up in public and using her online profiles.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Wondeja Kenee’ Gibson 

Master of Science in Nursing, Walden University 

NURS-6050N-34:  Policy & Advocacy for Population Health 

Dr. Quanza Mooring 

March 12, 2023 

Part 3: Narrative 

Healthcare Issue Fact Sheet: Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Overview 

Substance abuse and mental health are crucial public health concerns that continue to impact millions of Americans. In 2020, over 93,000 people died due to drug overdoses, while millions continue to struggle with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety (CDC, 2022). These issues have significant social, economic, and health consequences, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize addressing substance abuse and mental health in the legislative agenda. 

Why It Should be Included in the Agenda for Legislation 

Substance abuse and mental health are intertwined issues that require urgent attention. These issues are particularly relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the stressors of isolation, fear, and uncertainty have further exacerbated mental health concerns and substance use disorders. Substance abuse and mental health are complex issues that require a multi-faceted approach, including prevention, early intervention, and access to evidence-based treatment. Legislators and policymakers can play a significant role in addressing these issues by implementing policies that support access to comprehensive and integrated care, funding for research, and the provision of resources to enhance public health efforts. 

The Role of Nurses in Agenda Setting for Healthcare Issues 

Nurses are essential stakeholders in addressing substance abuse and mental health concerns. As frontline healthcare providers, nurses have firsthand experience in caring for patients with substance use and mental health disorders, providing them with the knowledge and expertise to inform policymaking. Nurses are well-positioned to advocate for policies that promote prevention, early intervention, and access to care for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. They can also collaborate with policymakers and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement strategies that address the social determinants of health that contribute to substance abuse and mental health issues (ANA, 2020). Therefore, nurses must be actively engaged in the legislative agenda-setting process to advance public health outcomes and promote equitable access to care. 

References 

Barry, C. L., Huskamp, H. A., Goldman, H. H., & Frank, R. G. (2014). Federal parity in the evolving mental health and addiction care    

landscape: Incremental but important progress. JAMA psychiatry, 71(4), 373-374. 

Canady, V. A. (2022). New federal investments for states to develop CCBHCs. Mental Health Weekly, 32(41), 3-4. 

Congress.gov. (2016). Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/524 

Katz, R. (2018). The Trump administration’s approach to mental health and substance abuse: cause for concern. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 86, 6-8. 

McCance-Katz, E. F. (2019). The Affordable Care Act and the opioid crisis. Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation, 10, 1-9. 

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. (2020). National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action. Retrieved from https://theactionalliance.org/sites/default/files/NSSP-Goals-and-Objectives-for-Action-2020-05-20.pdf 

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021). Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2021. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/appropriations 

National Institutes of Health. (2019). NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term) Initiative. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/research-training/medical-research-initiatives/heal-initiative 

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. (2016). VA expands mental health care to Veterans with other-than-honorable discharges. Retrieved from https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2813 

O’Rourke, N. C., Crawford, S. L., Morris, N. S., & Pulcini, J. (2017). Political efficacy and participation of nurse practitioners. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 18(3), 135-148. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2020-nsduh-annual-national-report 

White House. (2021). President Biden’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fy-2022-budget/ 

One of the major health care topics that has risen to the presidential level is opioid epidemic. Prescription opioid abuse has significantly surged over the last 2 decades in the United States and opioid-induced overdose death continues to be on the rise (NIH. 2023). According to CDC (2022), there were over 106,000 deaths reported in 2021 as a result of opioid overdose. Majority of the addiction results from patients who are prescribed pain medication and not using the medication as prescribed by the doctor. A significant number of research conducted shows correlations between poor health, working conditions and living in poverty. Communities that consist of residents living below poverty tend to have the highest overdose rates. Some of the social determinants for the opioid epidemic include economic hardship, social isolation, and hopelessness. Living in poverty and the use of opioid, fortified by unstable housing with mental health disorders left untreated are all contributing factors. To tackle the opioid epidemic, it is imperative to provide safe housing, opportunities for employment, and community-based projects to reduce high overdose deaths.

To prevent further opioids-induced overdose death, current and former presidents have all put forward a plan to eradicate the opioid crisis. President Biden’s plan was to make sure people have access to affordable and quality health insurance (Nuzum & Abrams, 2020). Biden’s plan was also to continue and build on President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) which was in effect while Biden was vice-president. Biden played a significant role in the approval of the ACA, that provided millions of Americans access to health insurance. Biden is also working on making available effective prevention and treatment by including a federal investment of $125 billion (Campaign Website, 2020). The Biden-Harris administration’s plan to end opioid crisis also extend towards the treatment of mental health and substance use disorder.

Former president Trump, during his presidency also addressed the opioid epidemic. Trump signed an executive order creating the President’s Commission on Opioids and declared it a national emergency (American Presidency Project, 2019). The commission was able to secure $4.6 billion in funding from Congress to fight the opioid crisis and help increase the number of patients receiving buprenorphine, which was a manufactured treatment for opioid addiction (Trump Administration, 2020). During his tenure, Trump also signed the SUPPORT Act into law, in 2018 the regulation was passed by Congress that provided $8 billion in funding towards the opioid epidemic. Despite Trump’s effort, opioid crisis continues to rise. He was in support of the republican’s attempt to overturn the ACA, which would have rendered millions of Americans without health insurance coverage.

The plans that the current presidential administration and the previous administration have put in place, does not appear to be making significant changes in the race to eradicate the opioid epidemic. To effect change on such health issue will require significant amount of money, and to begin tackling the roots of the problem. I would start with outreach programs to help alleviate poverty, provide more jobs, safe housing, and work with pharma’s in the production of treatments that are less addictive but effective.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 14). Understanding drug overdoses and deaths. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html

Links to an external site.

Nuzum, Rachel, & Abrams, Melinda. (2020, October 15). “Health Care in the 2020 Presidential Election: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.” Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.26099/j31c-mr53

Links to an external site..

The American Presidency Project. (2019, March 19). Fact sheet – President Donald J. Trump’s fight against the opioid epidemic continues to help Americans around the country. Fact Sheet – President Donald J. Trump’s Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic Continues to Help Americans Around the Country | The American Presidency Project. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trumps-fight-against-the-opioid-epidemic-continues-help

Links to an external site.

The Biden plan to end the opioid crisis. Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website. (2020, August 3). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://joebiden.com/opioidcrisis/#

Links to an external site.

The Trump administration’s response to the opioid epidemic. American Oversight. (2020, July 31). Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://www.americanoversight.org/investigation/trump-administrations-response-opioid-epidemic

Links to an external site.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, February 24). Drug overdose death rates. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved February 27, 2023, from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates#:~:text=Opioid%2Dinvolved%20overdose%20deaths%20rose,with%2080%2C411%20reported%20overdose%20deaths Links to an external site..