AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

Sample Answer for AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050 Included After Question

It may seem to you that healthcare has been a national topic of debate among political leaders for as long as you can remember. 

Healthcare has been a policy item and a topic of debate not only in recent times but as far back as the administration of the second U.S. president, John Adams. In 1798, Adams signed legislation requiring that 20 cents per month of a sailor’s paycheck be set aside for covering their medical bills. This represented the first major piece of U.S. healthcare legislation, and the topic of healthcare has been woven into presidential agendas and political debate ever since. 

As a healthcare professional, you may be called upon to provide expertise, guidance and/or opinions on healthcare matters as they are debated for inclusion into new policy. You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. For all of these reasons you should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news. 

In this Assignment, you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas. You also will prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact on this issue of recent or proposed policy. 

AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050
AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

To Prepare: 

Review the agenda priorities of the current/sitting U.S. president and at least one previous presidential administration. 

Select an issue related to healthcare that was addressed by two U.S. presidential administrations (current and previous). 

Consider how you would communicate the importance of a healthcare issue to a legislator/policymaker or a member of their staff for inclusion on an agenda. 

Use your Week 1 Discussion post to help with this assignment. 

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Comparison Grid, 1-Page Analysis, and 1-page narrative) with a title page. This is an APA paper. Use 2-3 course resources and at least 2 outside resources. 

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid 

Use the Agenda Comparison Grid Template found in the Learning Resources and complete the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid based on the current/sitting U.S. president and the previous president, and their agendas related to the population health concern you selected. Be sure to address the following: 

Identify and provide a brief description of the population health concern you selected. 

Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue. 

Identify the allocation of resources that the presidents dedicated to this issue. 

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis 

Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid on the template, complete the Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis portion of the template, by addressing the following: 

Which administrative agency (like HHS, CDC, FDA, OHSA) would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected and why is this agency the most helpful for the issue? 

How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the presidential agenda? How does it stay there? 

An entrepreneur/champion/sponsor helps to move the issue forward. 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 and why would this person be a good entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor? An example is Michael J. Fox is champion for Parkinson’s disease. 

Part 3: Fact Sheet 

Using the information recorded on the template in Parts 1 and 2, develop a 1-page fact sheet that you could use to communicate with a policymaker/legislator or a member of their staff for this healthcare issue. Be sure to address the following: 

Summarize why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation. 

Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues. 

By Day 7 of Week 2 

Submit your final version of Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid, Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis, and Part 3: Narrative. 

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

Title: AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

The veterans’ health issue has permeated the United States politics for a long time. In the U.S., each administration comes into power with specific attention to the issue. In order understand how various administrations have handled the issue, the present paper will compare the policies of the previous three administrations. Therefore, the purpose of the present paper is to compare the policies of the administrations of Presidents Trump, Obama and Bush Jr. in relation to the veterans’ health issues in the United States.

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid

Identify the Population Health concern you selected.  

Veterans Health Care

Describe the Population Health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it.  

Veterans: This is a special population of men and women who have served the U.S in overseas missions, such as combat. Many veterans face complex health risks during their deployments. Veterans with service-related health problems are a clinically complex and potentially vulnerable population (Duhaney, 2020).

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 focused on improving mental health care for transitioning veterans.

·         The Trump administration focused on expanding mental health programs and other resources to new veterans in the year after departure from uniformed service (Sisk, 2018).

 

·         The Obama administration focused on providing the resources and flexibility needed to ensure every veteran has access to timely, quality health care that they have earned and deserve (Duhaney, 2020).

·         Obama’s administration also focused on improving the quality of care and reducing the length of time it takes to process disability claims.

 

·         President Bush focused on improving the quality and timeliness of veterans’ claims processing.

·         The Bush administration also focused on restructuring the veterans’ health care system to improve access.

·         It also focused on expanding veterans’ access to burial options.

Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue. ·         He signed a $55 Billion Bill to Replace VA Choice Program (Sisk, 2018).

·         He contracted with private companies tasked with setting up provider networks that would include primary care and mental health clinics where veterans could receive care (Duhaney, 2020).

 

·         President Obama increased resources to the Department of Veteran Affairs to hire more doctors and nurses and staff more clinics (Duhaney, 2020). ·         President Bush added 1,000 full-time employees to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) within the first 180 days of his administration.

·         The employees were tasked with helping veterans directly or deciding their claims.

·         He increased funding for veterans’ medical care by more than 115% since 2001.

Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue. ·         He signed a landmark bill to replace the Veterans Choice Program and expand private health care options (Sisk, 2018).

·         President Trump signed an order that required VA and Homeland Security departments to create a joint action plan to ensure the 60%of new veterans who did not qualify for enrollment in health care receive treatment and access to services for mental health care for one year following their separation from service (Sisk, 2018).

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         President Obama signed the Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014. The law purposed to expand survivor benefits and improve care for veterans struggling with traumatic brain injuries (Duhaney, 2020).

·         In 2014, Obama declared 19 new executive actions to improve the mental health of service members, veterans, and their families (Duhaney, 2020).

·         Signed the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act for American Veterans to enhance veterans’ mental health care and suicide prevention programs.

·         Called for and signed a bill for the 21st century, which increased education benefits for service members and veterans.

·         The Bill made it easier for veterans to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses or children.

·         Signed legislation to ensure veterans with severe disabilities receive their retired military pay and their VA disability compensation.

·         He reduced the average period to process a veteran’s disability claim from 230 to 180 days.

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis

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 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to American veterans.

 

·         The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to American veterans.

 

·         The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services to American veterans.

 

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? ·         President Trump’s veterans’ health agenda was to improve mental health care for transitioning veterans.

·         The healthcare issue might get on this agenda as it touches on healthcare services provided to veterans.

·         In addition to mental health, other health aspects such as physical health and chronic illnesses can be incorporated into the agenda to provide holistic care.

·         Provision of holistic care can be made sustainable by having insurance programs dedicated to providing affordable care to veterans.

·         The healthcare agenda for President Obama was to make quality and affordable health care, not a privilege but a right.

·         The veteran healthcare issue might get on Obama’s agenda by developing a federal-funded insurance program for veterans to enable veterans to access affordable care.

·         The insurance program should include all healthcare aspects to provide quality mental care, which is a major issue among veterans.

·         The program can be made sustainable by having a funding system that finances the health services.

·         President Bush’s healthcare agenda was to make health care more affordable, transparent, portable, and efficient.

·         The healthcare issue on veterans’ healthcare might get on President’s Bush healthcare agenda by identifying sustainable ways that veterans can access affordable and quality healthcare.

Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents? ·         U.S Department of Veterans Affairs would be chosen to champion veterans’ healthcare.

·         I selected the Department of VA because it administers programs to benefit veterans and members of their families.

·         U.S Department of Veterans Affairs would be chosen to champion veterans’ healthcare.

·         I selected the Department of VA because it administers programs to benefit veterans and members of their families.

·         U.S Department of Veterans Affairs would be chosen to champion veterans’ healthcare.

·         I selected the Department of VA because it administers programs to benefit veterans and members of their families.

 

Part 3: Narrative

Veterans are at risk of complex conditions and are vulnerable to service-related conditions such as mental illnesses. Despite veterans having served the country on overseas missions, they encounter challenges accessing affordable and quality healthcare. Veterans’ healthcare is an issue that has reached the presidential level, and the current and former presidents have signed laws to improve healthcare access and mental health services for this population (Hester, 2017). Improving access and quality of healthcare to veterans is important because this population experiences substance use disorders, mental health disorders, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, amputations, and traumatic brain injury at disproportionate rates compared to their non-veteran counterparts (Oster et al., 2017). Besides, a large fraction of veterans commits suicide secondary to mental health issues.

It is crucial that the national and state governments enact laws that increase access to affordable healthcare to reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with these conditions. For instance, laws on mental health can be legislated, requiring that the federal government fund mental health services for veterans in both public and private facilities (Oster et al., 2017). Legislations can also be enacted that require the federal government to fund medical expenses for veterans who develop work-related disorders.

The nurse has a major role in setting healthcare agendas since nurses are involved in direct patient care and are significantly affected by health policies. Nurses can significantly influence healthcare policies through their daily healthcare delivery role. Since nurses understand the issue affecting healthcare delivery and the best ways to address them, they can best advise policymakers on laws that can improve healthcare systems and increase access to healthcare services (Milstead & Short, 2019). Besides, the nurse has a role in agenda-setting of proposing strategies that will benefit the communities based on their comprehensive understanding and specialization in particular areas of health care.

Conclusion

Therefore, veterans suffer from various complex issues ranging from mental matters to physical conditions. As such, it becomes the responsibility of the government of the day to ensure that their welfares are well addressed. The administrations of President’s Bush, Obama and Trump adopted various policies to mitigate the suffering of the veterans.

References

Duhaney, T. (2020). How veteran utilization of the Veterans Health Administration could impact privatization. Public Policy & Aging Report30(1), 29-35.https://doi.org/10.1093/ppar/prz032

Hester, R. D. (2017). Lack of access to mental health services contributing to the high suicide rates among veterans. International journal of mental health systems11, 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-017-0154-2

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

Oster, C., Morello, A., Venning, A., Redpath, P., & Lawn, S. (2017). The health and wellbeing needs of veterans: a rapid review. BMC psychiatry17(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1547-0

Sisk, R. (2018). Trump signs a $55 billion bill to replace VA Choice Program. Military. Com6.

The White House. (2009, January 12). The Bush record – Fact sheet: The Bush administration has provided unprecedented support for our veterans. Welcome to the White House. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/bushrecord/factsheets/veterans.html

 

Rubric Detail 

  Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor 
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid

Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue.

Identify the allocations of resources that the two presidents dedicated to this issue. 

18 (18%) - 20 (20%) 

The response clearly and accurately explains how the presidential administrations approached the issue and identifies the resource allocations dedicated to the issue. 

16 (16%) - 17 (17%) 

The response accurately explains how the presidential administrations approached the issue and identifies the resource allocations dedicated to the issue. 

14 (14%) - 15 (15%) 

The response is vague or partially inaccurate in its explanation of how the presidential administrations approached the issue, and/or in the identification of the resources allocated to the issue. 

0 (0%) - 13 (13%) 

The response is missing or inaccurate in its explanation of how the presidential administrations approached the issue, and/or in the identification of the resources allocated to the issue. 

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis- Address the following:

Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected? Why is this agency most helpful?

How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda? How does it stay there?

Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected and justify your selection. 

23 (23%) - 25 (25%) 

The response clearly and accurately identifies an administrative agency most likely to be responsible for addressing the selected healthcare issue and why that agency is most helpful.

Response clearly and accurately explains how the healthcare issue gets on the agenda and remains there.

The response clearly and accurately identifies and justifies the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue selected. 

20 (20%) - 22 (22%) 

The response identifies an administrative agency most likely to be responsible for addressing the selected healthcare issue and why that agency is most helpful.

Response clearly and accurately explains how the healthcare issue gets on the agenda and remains there.

Identification and justification of the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue is included. 

18 (18%) - 19 (19%) 

The identification of an administrative agency responsible for addressing the selected healthcare issue is vague or inaccurate and justification is inaccurate or misaligned for why that agency is most helpful.

Explanation of how the healthcare issue gets on the agenda and remains there is vague or inaccurate.

Identification and/or justification of the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue selected is inaccurate or does not align with the healthcare issue. 

0 (0%) - 17 (17%) 

Identification of an administrative agency responsible for addressing the selected healthcare issue is missing.

Explanation of how the healthcare issue gets on the agenda and remains there is inaccurate or missing.

Identification and/or justification of the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue selected is inaccurate or missing. 

Part 3: Fact Sheet

Based on your Agenda Comparison Grid for the healthcare issue you selected, develop a 1-2-page narrative that you could use to communicate with a policy- maker/legislator or a member of their staff for this healthcare issue.

Summarize why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.

Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues 

27 (27%) - 30 (30%) 

Creates an accurate and thorough fact sheet.

Using sufficient evidence, the response provides an accurate synthesis of evidence on why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.

Response accurately justifies the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues. 

24 (24%) - 26 (26%) 

Creates an accurate fact sheet.

Using sufficient evidence, the response provides an accurate summary evidence on why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.

Response accurately justifies the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues. 

21 (21%) - 23 (23%) 

Creates a fact sheet that is partially accurate or incomplete.

Response provides an incomplete or inaccurate summary of evidence on why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.

Response partially or inaccurately justifies the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues. 

0 (0%) - 20 (20%) 

Creates a fact sheet that is inaccurate or incomplete.

Response provides an inaccurate summary of evidence or evidence is missing on why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.

Response justifying the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues is inaccurate and incomplete or missing. 

Resources  10 (10%) - 10 (10%) 

Response includes 3 or more course resources and 2 or more outside sources. 

8 (8%) - 8 (8%) 

Response includes 2-3 course resources and 2 outside sources. 

7 (7%) - 7 (7%) 

Response includes fewer than 2 course resources and/or fewer than 2 outside resources. 

0 (0%) - 6 (6%) 

Response includes 2 or fewer resources. 

Written Expression and Formatting: Paragraph

Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. 

5 (5%) - 5 (5%) 

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

4 (4%) - 4 (4%) 

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

3 (3%) - 3 (3%) 

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

0 (0%) - 2 (2%) 

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

Written Expression and Formatting: English Writing Standards

Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation. 

5 (5%) - 5 (5%) 

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

4 (4%) - 4 (4%) 

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

3 (3%) - 3 (3%) 

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

0 (0%) - 2 (2%) 

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, indentations, parenthetical/in- text citations, and reference list. 

5 (5%) - 5 (5%) 

Uses correct APA format with no errors. 

4 (4%) - 4 (4%) 

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

3 (3%) - 3 (3%) 

Contains several (3-4) APA format errors. 

0 (0%) - 2 (2%) 

Contains many (≥5) APA format errors. 

Total Points: 100 

Name: NURS_6050_Module01_Week02_Assignment_Rubric 

 

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

Title: AGENDA COMPARISON GRID AND FACT SHEET NURS 6050

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 &amp; 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.   

 

 

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? 

 

Since President Trump’s administration declared opioid crisis as public health emergency, the administrative agency that could best help in addressing the issue is health agencies such as CDC to help in creating the professionalism, tools, and information that enable people and communities to promote health, prevent injuries, diseases, disabilities, and become sensitive for new health risks.  

Trump also formed a Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, which is essential in recommending the best measures to address the opioid issue.  

The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response By Detecting Incoming Contraband With Technology (INTERDICT) Act which was signed by Trump is also essential in enhancing screening tools for custom agents.  

The best administrative agency that would be best responsible in addressing opioid crisis is CDC. 

President Barack Obama’s administration could cooperate with CDC to help in creating the professionalism, tools, and information that enable people and communities to promote health, prevent injuries, diseases, disabilities, and become sensitive for new health risks.  

 

 

Although the Bush administration heavily relied in security agency and treated the issue of opioid crisis as more of criminal than public health issue, the best administrative agency that could address this was CDC. CDC is essential in creating the professionalism, tools, and information that enable people and communities to promote health, prevent injuries, diseases, disabilities, and become sensitive for new health risks  

 

 

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?  Since, many people are affected by this issue, it is imperative that the issue gets on the agenda of this administration. One way is ensuring that politicians participate in planning how to address the issue. The issue of opioid crisis should be discussed through legislation and become part of the government agenda. Government leaders need to deliberate and create new ideas on addressing the problem.  Since, many people are affected by this issue, it is imperative that the issue gets on the agenda of this administration. One way is ensuring that politicians participate in planning how to address the issue. The issue of opioid crisis should be discussed through legislation and become part of the government agenda. Government leaders need to deliberate and create new ideas on addressing the problem.  

 

Since, many people are affected by this issue, it is imperative that the issue gets on the agenda of this administration. One way is ensuring that politicians participate in planning how to address the issue. The issue of opioid crisis should be discussed through legislation and become part of the government agenda. Government leaders need to deliberate and create new ideas on addressing the problem.  

 

Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents?  During the Trump administration, the best champion could be Admiral James Winnefeld due to his focus on drug addiction leading to creation of Stop Addiction Fatality Epidemic (SAFE).    The person who could be chosen as the best champion for the issue is Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. He introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which was later signed into law.   Hillary Clinton could be chosen due to her influential status as the first lady by the time opioid crisis started and also serving as a Senator.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 3: Narrative 

Why Opioid Crisis Issue is Important and Should be Included in the Agenda for Legislation 

The issue of opioid misuse is increasing at an alarming rate in the in the US and is associated with dire consequences such as mortality and disabilities. According to HHS.gov (2019), two out of three drug overdose deaths in US in the year 2018 involved opioid. Moreover, Painter (2017) reports that opioid crisis is responsible for over 30,000 deaths annually. In the year 2017 alone, drug overdose killed over 70,000 people, with 50,000 of this being numbr being opioid related deaths. Currently, opioid crisis is highly prevalent and affecting everyone despite age, gender, race, status, or ethnic group. Long term use of Opioid is also associated with severe physical, social, psychological, and physiological effects. In fact, in severe cases, users can develop opioid use disorder and the associated withdrawal symptoms such as inability to control opioid use, inability to carry out work or academic responsibilities, and addiction, inability to conduct activities of daily life, and social and interpersonal problems. Concerning economic implications, opioid use disorder and associated symptoms requires heavy financial resources to manage, which causes remarkable financial burden on individuals, state, and federal government. Based on the above mentioned facts, the issue of opioid crisis is crucial and needs to be included in the legislative agenda of government.  

Role of Nurses in Opioid Crisis Agenda Setting 

Nurses can play significant role in setting agenda for opioid crisis such as provision of professional advice, early detection and prevention of opioid abuse and misuse, monitoring of opioid prescription, thus, can help in identification of patients who begin to be addicted (Hunnicutt et al., 2018). Nurses can also play advocacy roles by championing for application of best policies and techniques in managing pain, developing protocols for treating opioid addiction, and formulation of new standards on writing opioid prescription.  

Conclusion 

It has been established that the misuse and addiction of opioids possess a serious national crisis with negative effects on public health, economic, and social wellbeing. The seriousness of opioid crisis attracted the attention of Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump who made significant contributions to address the issue. It is imperative for government to set serious health issues such as opioid crisis in government agenda to help in strengthening health systems and provide resources such as human and financial to address the issue. Moreover, setting opioid as legislative agenda is crucial in policy development and strategic management and planning for the issue.  

 

References 

Health and Human Services (HHS). (2019). Trump Administration Announces $1.8 Billion in Funding to States to Continue Combating Opioid Crisis. https://public3.pagefreezer.com/browse/HHS.gov/31-12-2020T08:51/https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/09/04/trump-administration-announces-1-8-billion-funding-states-combating-opioid.html 

HHS.gov. (2019). Opioid Crisis Statistics. https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/opioid-crisis-statistics/index.html 

Hunnicutt, J. N., Chrysanthopoulou, S. A., Ulbricht, C. M., Hume, A. L., Tjia, J., & Lapane, K. L. (2018). Prevalence of longterm opioid use in longstay nursing home residents. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(1), 48-55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15080 

Kaye, A. D., Jones, M. R., Kaye, A. M., Ripoll, J. G., Galan, V., Beakley, B. D., … & Manchikanti, L. (2017). Prescription opioid abuse in chronic pain: an updated review of opioid abuse predictors and strategies to curb opioid abuse: part 1. Pain physician, 20(2S), S93-S109. https://europepmc.org/article/med/28226333#impact 

Painter, S. G. (2017). Opiate crisis and healthcare reform in America: A review for nurses. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 22(2). DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol22No02Man03 

Park, K., &amp; Otte, A. (2019). Prevention of opioid abuse and treatment of opioid addiction: current status and future possibilities. Annual review of biomedical engineering, 21, 61- 

  1. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-bioeng-060418-052155

The White House (2016). FACT SHEET: President Obama Proposes $1.1 Billion in New Funding to Address the Prescription Opioid Abuse and Heroin Use Epidemic. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/02/02/president-obama-proposes-11-billion-new-funding-address-prescription 

The White House. (2002). The President&#39;s National Drug Control Strategy. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/02/20020212-2.html\ 

 

Agenda Comparison Grid And Fact Sheet Nurs 6050