NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Sample Answer for NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas Included After Question
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and reflect on the importance of agenda setting.
- Consider how federal agendas promote healthcare issues and how these healthcare issues become agenda priorities.
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post your response to the discussion question: Consider a population health topic that rises to the presidential agenda level. Which social determinant most affects this health issue? How did two recent presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?
By Day 6 of Week 1
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by expanding on their response and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
The healthcare system is highly sensitive and that is why presidents have to make critical decisions and ensure the safety of their citizens. I agree with you that the opioid epidemic is one of the healthcare issues that rose to the presidential level. Opioid misuse presents various health risks and that is why it was necessary to engage the presidential intervention. President Bush’s administration approached the issue in three ways. First, the administration provided efforts to stop the kids from using the drug. Secondly, the treatment for those already using the drug was expanded and finally, the flow of the drug into America was controlled. The measure would be undertaken for infectious diseases that arise, Breaking the infection cycle is important in managing health crises and emergencies (Hedberg, et al., 2019).
The Obama administration approached the issue more comprehensively and approved the CAR bill to fight the epidemic. Similarly, President Donald Trump declared the epidemic a national state of emergency and this was appropriate. I agree that health issues require urgent intervention to curb the causative factors and prevent the issue from spreading further and this is what the three presidential administrations did.
The presidents must be sensitive to identify the impacts of given health issues and develop appropriate policies that will minimize the harmful effects the citizens suffer (Smith, 2020). In this case, the use of opioid drugs was on the rise and the level could have been very disastrous if the relevant measures developed were not adopted. It is important that government systems set aside funds to handle medical emergencies whenever they rise because they cannot be postponed (Katz, Attal-Juncqua & Fischer, 2017).
Healthcare should be a right and not a privilege. Although in the current time, it seems to be a privilege as healthcare is so expensive that not a lot of people can afford it. Struggling people seem to have poor health as they cannot afford routine examinations and check-ups. They delay their care because they do not want to go to the doctor and must pay for a doctor’s bill that they can barely afford. The right to health was first recognized in the 1946 World Health Organization (WHO) constitution, which states that “the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” (Kaufman, 2019)
Trump introduced healthcare transparency late in his term. The Transparency in Coverage final rule, which was issued in late October 2020, states that the drug price transparency provisions require that health insurers disclose list prices and net prices for prescription drugs. The information must be supplied and be available to patients and providers that are accessible both online and in paper format. Aaron S. Kesselheim, a Harvard Medical School MD, believes that efforts to promote health care pricing transparency might persevere, also pointing to the fact that President Biden voiced support for similar efforts during his presidential campaign. (Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, n.d.)
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I believe healthcare transparency is important as it helps patients see and compare the prices for drugs and services that they require. This will help them make informed decisions regarding their care. Kesselheim also stated that US prescription drug prices are too high under our current system, and that a new approach is needed. (Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, n.d.) Even with increasing costs of deductibles and out-of-pocket services, there has been a lack of incentive for people to shop and compare health services. The goal of the Transparency Act is to provide consumers with reliable information on healthcare costs. This then leads to consumers making cost-conscious decisions, face fewer out-of-pocket surprises, and potentially lower overall health care costs. (Keith, 2020)
References:
Kaufman, J. (2019). Health Care is a Right, not a Privilege. The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. https://kenan.ethics.duke.edu/health-care-is-a-right-not-a-privilege/.
Perspective: Drug price transparency in the Biden era. Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). (n.d.). https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2021/1/perspective-drug-price-transparency-in-the-biden-e.
Keith, K. (2020). Trump Administration Finalizes Transparency Rule For Health Insurers: Health Affairs Blog. Health Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20201101.662872/full/.
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Rather than focus on the treatment of chronic disease, policies that influence population health tend to emphasize prevention and wellness; the reduction or elimination of waste and the eradication of health disparities based on race, ethnicity, language, income, gender, sexual orientation, disability and other factors. The reasoning is that good health belongs to the whole, not just an individual. (New York State Dept. of Health, n.d.)
Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen has a stake in healthcare policy decisions. Hence, it is little wonder why healthcare items become such high-profile components of presidential agendas. It is also little wonder why they become such hotly debated agenda items.
Consider a topic (mental health, HIV, opioid epidemic, pandemics, obesity, prescription drug prices, or many others) that rises to the presidential level. How did the current and previous presidents handle the problem? What would you do differently?
Reference:
New York State Department of Health. (n.d.). Making New York the healthiest state: Achieving the triple aim. Retrieved June 21, 2021 from https://www.health.ny.gov/events/population_health_summit/docs/what_is_population_health.pdf
A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Thank you for addressing the unspoken pandemic “mental health crisis” that we are seeing in todays patients. I work in an acute care setting and have seen a rise in psychosis, ranging from postpartum or life changing stress causing people to reach a “psychotic break”. As nurses not specializing in this field, we feel overwhelmed on how to care for these patients. This particular patient is often waiting for some sort of placement in a inpatient facility however the patients are younger therefore typically do not have insurance yet. I feel this patient population is spending precious time waiting in an acute care facility, not receiving proper care for their diagnosis, families become frustrated and end up leaving AMA. This story has been the same display , multiple times , just different patients and different days. Mental health has always been on the “back burner” yet in these times the patient population is increasing with no help or resources to care for these patients.
Do you have any ideas what we can do to help this mental health crisis? Should we implement stress reducing strategies and meditation type classes in the school system? Should we implement counseling for all children such as an eye exam, dental exam, vaccination time? At what point do we change the culture in our health care system to make this mandatory as a sports physical? The teachers in our public school system are quick to point out learning disorders such as ADHD, requesting an evaluation from their pediatrician to perhaps start medication. Should teachers be trained to also request a psychiatric evaluation for children displaying signs of depression, anger, isolation, anti social behaviors and so on?
A survey that was put out by the CDC published in 2020 reports that “41percent of Americans have been struggling with mental health or substance abuse directly related to the pandemic”
President Biden has directed 2.5 billion towards mental health and addiction for the American population. There are many campaigns such as the “Change Direction” campaign which aims to raise awareness and supply funding and resources for patients that require assistance in a mental health crisis. This campaign also aims in teaching Americans how to identify when something is off in our mental health. Such as their “five signs of emotional suffering and the healthy habits of emotional wee-being”
I believe teaching our youth in early stages how to identify healthy mental habits, as well as identifying non healthy habits in our mental well being.
https://giveanhour.org/changedirection/
A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Hi Amy, I enjoyed reading your post, and I thought it worthwhile to give you some suggestions for reading your plans in joining a professional organization. It is imperative as a nurse to join one of these professional organizations that align with your scope of practice. “Being knowledgeable about how membership benefits align with your scope of practice may help in making an informed decision regarding membership” (Echevarria, (2018). According to your post, you plan to join a professional organization following the completion of the PMHNP program. I think it is better to participate while in school to help build your portfolio and be highly marketable after having your board and searching for a job. “Membership in a professional organization helps to make nurses more marketable and improve their résumés and curricula vitae (CVs)” (Echevarria, (2018). It might not be easy to do so while in the program, but it is a better option. According to the American Psychiatry Nurses Association, to be a member, one must be a full-time nursing student and complete an application with $25 for full-time members.
American Psychiatry Nurses Association. Rates and how to join or renew https://www.apna.org/membership/join-or-renew/\
Echevarria, I.M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35-38
A Sample Answer 5 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
The population health topic I am choosing is the opioid epidemic. I chose this because it affects such a large population in today’s world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), drug overdose deaths have increased by nearly 5% from 2018 to 2019 and quadrupled since 1999. Over 70% of the 70,630 deaths in 2019 involved an opioid. In 2020, 91,799 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States. The number continues to rise, and drugs seem to be more accessible.
Regarding social determinants, people from low socio-economic classes have poorer health. They are more likely to use tobacco, drink alcohol at high risk, and use illicit drugs. Drug-dependent people are particularly likely to be unemployed and to experience marginalization, both of which can exacerbate their problems and prevent seeking or benefiting from treatment (Spooner,2017). Drug abuse is not shy when it comes to whom it affects. People in low socioeconomic classes happen to get slammed with drug abuse as we have not provided the right accessibility for them.
One of President Trump’s solutions was to build a wall. Theoretically, the wall would stop illegal drugs from coming in, and this wall was supposed to be built on the Mexican border. He also said he would enhance access to addiction services, end Medicaid policies that obstruct inpatient treatment, and expand incentives for state and local governments to use drug courts and mandated treatment to respond to the addiction crisis (Kaiser Family Foundation,2017). Although some think the wall may help, it is not the solution to the epidemic. In some cases, working from the outside inward works, but in this case, I think this epidemic needs to be approached from the inside out.
In this case, I would have started the solution on the inside. I would have targeted what we can control right now. Stopping Illegal drugs from coming in will help in the long run, but you must focus on what illegal drugs are happening in the US. Building a wall doesn’t stop the use, trading, selling, or buying we are currently dealing with. I would work to eliminate those issues, do more research on who this affects the most, and start there. We know people from low socio-economic classes struggle the most, so I start there and work my way out. Maybe we start focusing on getting these people out of this low-income rut. We provide schooling, daycare, and opportunities some people will never receive. Even starting there seems small, but I would further it with Trump’s plan to enhance access to drug addiction services like counselors. I would hold more doctors accountable and pharmaceutical companies pushing these opioids for money.
According to the Democrat National Committee (2020), President Biden’s solution includes holding people accountable such as big pharmaceutical companies, executives, and others, responsible for their role in triggering the opioid crisis. Biden will create effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services available to all through a $125 billion federal investment. Most importantly, we will stop overprescribing pain medication to citizens. I think Biden’s solutions to this epidemic were much better; these solutions start inward and target the people in the US struggling. I believe the solutions listed will help the country see a decline in opioid deaths, but they won’t solve the issue altogether.
As much as I agree with this approach, I don’t think the primary producers of these drugs are being held accountable enough. I would figure out a way other than fines to serve these companies. Possibly suspending their production may be a helping solution. The problem is these companies are lac
d with money, so half the time, they don’t even blink at the request to hand over money due to fines. I wouldn’t change much to Biden’s policy otherwise. I think his approach gives people accessibility, and that’s truly what we need to end this epidemic.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022). Death Rate Maps & Graphs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html
Democrat National Committee. (2020). The Biden plan to end the opioid crisis. Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website. Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://joebiden.com/opioidcrisis/
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2017, January 9). President-elect Donald Trump stands on six health care issues – election 2016: The issues. KFF. Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://www.kff.org/report-section/where-president-elect-donald-trump-stands-on-six-health-care-issues/#opioid
Spooner, C. (2017). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF DRUG USE. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/
A Sample Answer 6 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Title: NURS 6050 Presidential Agendas
Presidents and presidential candidates use agenda-setting in campaigns and during presidential terms. According to the textbook Health Policy and Politics, 6th Edition, the definition of agenda setting is the process of bringing a problem to the government’s attention so that solutions can be considered (Milstead, Short 2019, page 17). Agenda setting is used in all career fields and is highly beneficial in the medical field. Many federal agendas promote healthcare issues as healthcare is a vital need in all people’s lives. Healthcare topics become agenda priorities as policymakers and citizens are interested in the best public policies to address society’s concerns (Milstead, Short 2019, page 17). Agenda-setting can create outcomes that can initiate new practices in healthcare organizations (Milstead, Short 2019, page 18).
Access to Mental Health
Access to mental health is an important topic at the presidential level. According to The United States Government and Biden Administration, insurers make it difficult to access mental health treatment, causing consumers to seek care out-of-network at higher costs for treatments (The United States Government, 2023). Mental health is a vital part of the healthcare system, as adequate public access to it in needed. President Biden states that mental health is health, and part of their agenda includes a strategy to transform how mental health is understood, accessed, treated, and integrated into healthcare settings (The United States Government, 2023). It is expressed that this agenda will allow those insured greater access to mental health care within their network, reducing patient costs (The United States Government, 2023).
Former President Donald J. Trump stated at a time when many Americans are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, and personal loss, we must also ensure that our country can meet the mental health needs of those struggling in this crisis (National Archives and Records Administration, 2020). This statement was made after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The former administration addressed the importance of the public’s access to mental health care. Executive orders were made under the previous administration, and funding was obtained to provide support to the mental health needs of the public (National Archives and Records Administration, 2020). After researching, it is evident that mental healthcare is an essential topic on the agendas of our former and current administrations. Through my research it is evident that how the public obtains access to mental healthcare was focused on more within the Biden Administration.
What Could Be Done Different
After working as a registered nurse at a Level 1 emergency room with a psychiatric unit, I have seen firsthand how a lack of patient resources can impact patient care. I have seen how a lack of continuity of care can impact mental health patients and lead to poor outcomes. Many patients who seek out mental health care do not know their options for receiving care and look to primary care providers or their local ER for treatments. I feel as if the former administration laid the foundation for the current administration to create its agenda. I believe that they did address the importance of mental health after the start of COVID-19 and the end of former President Trump’s term. It is my opinion that with more time former President Trump would have been able to create and implement his own agenda towards patient’s access to mental health care. I see how the Biden Administration is making mental health a priority in their healthcare agenda. I do not believe I would do anything differently. I would however want to work with and reach out to more health care professionals. I believe that by hearing the voices of the caregivers and providers the Biden Administration can learn vital information that can help improve outcomes for mental health patients. I believe that more accessible access to in-network treatment would allow for continuity of care and more follow-ups, leading to a more positive patient experience. A more positive patient experience will allow for better patient success and outcomes, which, as healthcare providers, should be our goal.
References
Milstead, J.A., & Short, NM (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed).
Jones & Bartlett Learning.
National Archives and Records Administration. (2020, October 5). President Donald J. Trump
Is Safeguarding Americans’ Mental Health and Preventing The Tragedy of Suicide.
National Archives and Records Administration.
https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-
Links to an external site.statements/president-donald-j-trump
Links to an external site. safeguarding-Americans-mental-health-preventing-tragedy-suicide/
The United States Government. (2023, July 25). Fact sheet: Biden-Harris Administration takes
Action to make it easier to access in-network mental health care. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-
Links to an external site. Links to an external site.releases/2023/07/25/fact-
sheet-Biden-harris-administration-takes-action-to-make-it-easier-to-access-in-network-
mental-health-care/