NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

Posted: January 12th, 2023

NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

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)NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

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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.NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

Legislation Comparison Grid Template Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement Introduction Advocacy is an important function among nurses, helping them to identify and present policy issues to benefit their communities, workplace and patients. In this case, the advocacy can occur at the political and legislative levels to address social factors that shape population health. For that matter, nurse advocacy is intended to advance health equity and public health through targeting social determinants of health. From a partnership perspective, nurse advocacy is targeted at reducing health inequities and improving the health of disadvantaged populations (Williams, Phillips & Koyama, 2018). The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate a nursing relevance of a health legislation and present an advocacy statement for the legislation. Health-related Bill Name Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act of 2019 Bill Number H.R. 987 Description Sponsored by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester into the 116th Congress session on 6th Feb. 2019 and last updated on 20th May 2019, the bill seeks to amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) by providing for federal exchange outreach and educational activities while lowering the costs of prescription drugs. The bill seeks to address three objectives: lower the costs of prescription drugs; stabilize health insurance markets; and moderate the budgetary effects. NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.vThe bill was passed in Congress on 16th May 2019 and has been passed to the Senate for consideration (GovTrack, 2020). Federal or State? Federal Legislative Intent The Bill was introduced into the 116th Congress as H.R.987 by Rep. L. B. Rochester of Delaware at Large. The bill seeks to make the public aware of services offered by the federal government through the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It notes that some members of the public end up missing on services that could help them. Through the bill, the DHHS would be compelled to conduct outreach programs and education activities that inform potential enrollees of health insurance exchanges that offer them coverage and related financial assistance. The outreach programs and education activities must be conducted in linguistically and culturally appropriate formats (GovTrack, 2020). Proponents/ Opponents Proponents: Persons without access to health care due to lack of health insurance, and who have difficulties in getting prescription drugs owing to costs. Medical personnel and advocates who seek to improve health care access. Opponents: Private health insurers who might perceive the bill as an aggressive marketing strategy that hinder their business opportunities. Also, the exchequer and government could oppose the bill since it increases the federal budget for public health care. Target Population The target population is persons from low income households. NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.The bill improves their information levels so that they are more aware of the federal programs intended to improve their access to health care. Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?) The bill was introduced in Congress on 6th Feb. 2019. It was passed on 16th May 2019. Currently, the bill is under review for introduction to the Senate for consideration (GovTrack, 2020). General Notes/Comments The bill takes a momentous step in addressing health disparities. It does this through three approaches. Firstly, it seeks to lower the cost of prescription drugs through introducing low cost options and incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to present cheaper options. Secondly, it seeks to stabilize the health insurance market by making the public more aware of the government insurance programs and other assistance. Thirdly, it seeks to minimize the budgetary effects of the Federal Exchange outreach and educational activities. In enacting the bill, it is anticipated that health care access will be improved and prescription medication made more available for better public health outcomes (GovTrack, 2020). Part 2. Legislation testimony/advocacy statement: Nurse staffing standards should be implemented Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health. The bill addresses an important topic and should be enacted. The bill helps in addressing health care access disparities. It notes that although there are federal government programs to help persons from low income households to access health care services at subsidized costs, utilization of these services remains low. This unfavorable trend has been blamed on lack of information whereby target groups assume that health care costs are high and that there are not government programs in place to address their needs. Through the information approaches, the target group will be aware that programs exists to help them. In addition, reduction in prescription drugs costs will enable them get treatment when required (Black, 2019). Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Opponents could argue that low cost medication compromise on quality. However, that is not always the case and policing can be applied to ensure that drug quality does not go below set levels. Also, opponents could argue that the bill increases health care costs through implementing Federal Exchange outreach and educational activities. Although the direct costs will rise, overall saving will exceed the costs. Savings will be made from improving public health levels (Black, 2016). Still, it is important to note that such policy decisions should be guided by cost-benefit analysis. The reality is that the potential gains far outweigh the potential harms. Offering an opportunity for health care (at least minimal) where none is available is a momentous step that cannot be overlooked. NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.The truth is that many will be without care if the legislation is not enacted. The enactment ensures that awareness levels are raised so that federal government programs are used as intended in reaching the targeted population (Milstead & Short, 2019). There is a need to amend the bill to restrict the use of generic drugs. That is because although they are cheaper with up to 20% of the active ingredients changed with compared to the original drug, the fact is that the two are not therapeutic equivalents. Generic drugs do not always produce the same response on patients, and there is a need to ensure that they function as well as brand-name formulations in providing treatment before being approved for use. This will help in protecting the public and ensuring that the available resources are efficiently used (Black, 2016).NURS – 6050N Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.