NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Sample Answer for NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Included After Question
Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.
Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.
DISCUSSION (instructions)
write an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being re-elected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the votes views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria.
ATTENTION:
I have chosen my Health-related Bill Name as
Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019
Please use the student work I attached to guide your writing
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Title: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The scope of practice authority for nurses differs in different states across the country based on regulatory environment set by existing boards of nursing (Laureate Education, 2018). This discussion compares APRN boards of nursing regulations in Illinois and Iowa. In Illinois, advanced nurse practitioners have reduced practice authority implying that they must have a written collaboration agreement that describes their relationship with supervising physicians. These agreements describe aspects of care, treatment and procedures that the APRN can offer. The APRNs must also outline their prescriptive authority in the agreement. The state Board of nursing allows APRNs to prescribe prescription drugs and those in Schedule III-IV of controlled substances (NCSL, 2020). They are also allowed to prescribe Schedule II drugs if they have delegated authority from supervising physician. The state also recognizes APRNs as primary care providers.
The Iowa Board of Nursing allows APRNs to have full practice authority based on the changed state laws and regulations. The board recognizes nurse practitioners as professionals with current licensure as registered nurses or those licensed by another state. The board asserts that advanced registered nurse practitioners are prepared for advanced roles by virtue of their more knowledge and skill attained through formal advanced education in a nursing specialty (Neff et al., 2018). The NPs can prescribe drugs, devices and medical gases. The state board also authorizes the nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances once they register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The nurses must also register with the state Board of Pharmacy to prescribe drugs (NCSL, 2020b). The state also recognized APRNs as primary care providers. Therefore, all licensure in the two states are done by respective nursing boards. However, nurses in Illinois have reduced practice authority while those in Iowa have full practice authority.
The regulations affect APRNs who possess legal authority to practice to full extent of their education, training, and experience since they set guidelines for those practicing within the profession and implore them to protect their titles and patients (Bosse et al., 2017). The advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) adhere to these provisions through having updated licenses, meeting the requirements for advanced education and training, and improving patient safety and competence in their practice environment.
References
Bosse, J., Simmonds, K., Hanson, C., Pulcini, J., Dunphy, L., Vanhook, P., & Poghosyan, L.
(2017). Position statement: Full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses is necessary to transform primary care. Nursing Outlook, 65(6), 761–765. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2017.10.002.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Regulatory Process [Video file]. Baltimore, MD:
Author.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) (2020). State of Practice Policy: Illinois.
https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/states/il/
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) (2020). State of Practice Policy: Iowa.
https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/states/ia/
Neff, D. F., Yoon, S. H., Steiner, R. L., Bumbach, M. D., Everhart, D., & Harman J. S. (2018).
The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 379–385. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.03.001
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Title: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Cost-Benefit Analysis in Terms of Legislators Being Reelected Affected Efforts to Repeal/Replace the ACA.
The cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislator reelection was critical in efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Lawmakers had to evaluate the advantages of repealing the ACA, such as reduced government expenditure, against the risks of alienating people who rely on the ACA for healthcare coverage.
Public opinion, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (2017), a non-profit organization focused on national health concerns, had a key effect in the ACA repeal efforts. According to the foundation’s polls, the majority of Americans are opposed to repealing the ACA, and many are anxious about losing access to affordable healthcare coverage. Lawmakers who backed the repeal movement risked losing support from their constituencies, perhaps jeopardizing their reelection chances.
Furthermore, the cost-benefit study took into account the political ramifications of repealing the ACA. According to the New York Times, many Republicans who opposed the ACA repeal worried retribution from their voters as well as possible bad consequences for their party’s brand (Pear & Kaplan, 2017). As a result, lawmakers had to evaluate the advantages of repealing the ACA against the political consequences of doing so.
Finally, the cost-benefit analysis in terms of lawmaker reelection played a big part in efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Lawmakers had to evaluate the advantages of repealing the ACA against the costs of alienating supporters and jeopardizing their reelection chances, as well as the possible bad impacts on their party’s reputation.
How the Voters Views May Affect Decision by Legislative Leaders
Analyses of voter attitudes can have a considerable influence on legislative leaders’ decisions to endorse or promote national policy. Legislators must consider public opinion when making policy choices affecting programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. This is especially essential in the context of healthcare policy, where public opinion may have a significant impact on legislative choices.
Healthcare policy is a topic that voters care significantly about, according to Blendon and Benson (2018), and their opinions on healthcare policy can impact their voting behavior. As a result, legislative leaders must consider the perspectives of their constituents when making healthcare policy choices. This involves evaluating polls and surveys to gain a better understanding of public opinion on healthcare policy problems such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Furthermore, legislative leaders must evaluate the impact of their actions on their re-election prospects. According to Jacobs and Shapiro (2000), political politicians that respond to public opinion on subjects like healthcare policy are more likely to be re-elected. As a result, legislative leaders may be more likely to support policies that correspond with the views of their voters on healthcare policy, especially if they believe such views would impact their re-election prospects.
Finally, assessments of voter attitudes can have a substantial influence on legislative leaders’ judgments when advocating or presenting national policy. Legislators must consider public opinion when making policy choices affecting programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. This involves reviewing polls and surveys to better understand public opinion on healthcare policy problems, as well as considering the impact of their actions on their re-election prospects.
Reference:
Blendon, R. J., & Benson, J. M. (2018). Healthcare in the 2018 midterm elections: The voters’ verdict. New England Journal of Medicine, 379(19), 1787-1789.
Jacobs, L. R., & Shapiro, R. Y. (2000). Politicians don’t pander: Political manipulation and the loss of democratic responsiveness. University of Chicago Press
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2017). The Public’s Health Care Agenda for the 115th Congress. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/health-reform/poll-finding/the-publics-health-care-agenda-for-the-115th-congress/Links to an external site.
Pear, R., & Kaplan, T. (2017, July 28). Senate rejects slimmed-down Obamacare repeal as McCain votes no. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/us/politics/senate-obamacare-repeal-vote.htmlLinks to an external site.
A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Title: NURS 6050 Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
“Globally, the economy has a problematic relationship with health professionals and policymakers. Economists focus more on social perspectives, while health professionals focus more on individualistic ones in which they value health as priceless, and a life saved justifies any effort and cost. It is important to determine whose point of view will be considered and who the stakeholders involved (i.e., decision-makers, patients, industry). A correct articulation between these fields is required for a more efficient allocation of resources to healthcare” (Mombaque et al., 1985).
I concur with what you stated, “Lawmakers had to evaluate the advantages of repealing the ACA, such as reduced government expenditure, against the risks of alienating people who rely on the ACA for healthcare coverage”.
Many people who know the benefit and benefit from ACA will continue to promote and support the reelection of legislators who promote the ACA and lawmakers who backed the movement will lose support of the law’s promoters. Thus, as nurses are closer to patients and know their desire, they need to contribute to educating masses on the benefit of the Act and encourage the public to support the reelection of any legislator promoting such Act.
“Although communicating with legislators is important, nurses should not underestimate the importance of aides and other staff members, who may provide the last word to a legislator regarding the issue or concern. Including aides and other staff members in communications and making special efforts to respectfully integrate them into the entire process is a tactic that is likely to yield positive results” (Milstead & Short, 2019). Thanks for sharing your idea; I appreciate it.
Reference
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).
Jones & Bartlett Learning. Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)
Mombaque dos Santos, W., Lim, F., Wan, A., Amendola, B., Matuoka, J. Y., Secoli, S. R., &
Silva, M. F. (2020). Cost-effectiveness in cancer care in Latin America. Journal of
Alternative Medicine Research, 12(1), 77–83.