Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis

There exist different healthcare policies meant to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare. Some of the current healthcare policies include Affordable Care Policy, Medicare program, Medicaid, Children’s health insurance program, Patient Safety, and Quality Improvement Act. The main purpose of healthcare policies and procedures is to facilitate standardization in healthcare operational activities. Healthcare policies are critical or essential in providing correct procedures to be followed when dealing with issues as well as activities that are important to health and safety. The Affordable Care Act is one of the major current healthcare policies that has transformed the healthcare industry. The Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into law in the year 2010 (Barr, 2016). The policy aimed at providing affordable health insurance coverage to the entire American population. Affordable Care Policy was also created to protect healthcare consumers from costly private insurance companies and would sometimes put restrictions on the healthcare services for the patients. Over the years, millions of Americans have been able to benefit from the Affordable Care policy. Millions of Americans have experienced a significant reduction in healthcare costs. Before the implementation of the Affordable Care Policy, poor Americans could not get effective insurance coverage.  The purpose of the paper is therefore to examine the ACA and its attendant cost-effectiveness, relationship to other policies and advocacy strategies.

How the Affordable Care Policy Was Designed to Improve Cost-Effectiveness

And Health Care Equity for the Population

The Affordable Care Act was designed to enhance healthcare equity. The affordable Care policy was mainly designed to significantly reduce the differences in health outcomes among ethnic, racial, as well as primary language groups (Eichten, 2018). In other words, the policy was meant to address disparities in healthcare delivery and enhance the provision of healthcare to all the population irrespective of the level of income. The major goals of the Affordable Care Act included a reduction in healthcare costs, expansion of healthcare coverage, general improvement in healthcare quality, and population health. These factors were incorporated to reduce health disparities. With the reduced costs and expansion of coverage, ACA was meant to achieve healthcare equity for all the population. Different provisions of the Affordable Care Act directly impact insurers who have been forced to expand the number of people under the cover as well as the conditions under coverage.

To expand healthcare coverage and ensure reduced costs, Affordable Care Act created marketplaces called exchanges where people from different social-economic statuses could purchase health insurance and define their financial aid or assistance eligibility. There are three major types of marketplaces in ACA (Glied & Jackson, 2017). These marketplaces include state-based marketplaces, federal-based marketplaces, as well as state-partnership marketplaces. Since its inception in the healthcare industry, millions of Americans have been able to obtain medical services at a reduced cost. Also, the treatment of some diseases has been fully covered by Obamacare.

Financial Sustainability

Affordable Care Policy is financially sound. Before implementation, it was estimated that Obamacare would reduce the national debt by $140 billion. Also, it was established that the whole policy cost $940 billion considering all the factors that were to be included (Laureate Education, 2018). After the analysis, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office established the policy was effective given its ability to reduce the national budget. Also, The Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act passed Obama taxes as well as budget cuts in different areas, which generally generated more funds for implementing ACA. Given the effective balance of the budget, there were more funds available to offset the cost of the plan. Affordable Care policy accounts for relevant ethical, legal, and political factors as well as nursing perspectives. All these considerations need to be put in place during the implementation. Specifically, the policy advocates for quality healthcare delivery, application of research and evidence-based practices in the treatment processes, as well as dignity and racial sensitivity in the treatment processes. Through continuous legislations, the policy account for the political factors as well as nursing perspectives. All these issues ought to be considered in the implementation process.

Significance of Affordable Care Policy

The Affordable Care Act is related to different state, federal, and global health policies or goals that have been created over the years. In particular, the Affordable Care policy is related to the Global Health Policy (GHP). Global Health Policy mainly facilitates the allocation of resources in different nations and organizations to ensure access to quality healthcare services. Global Health Policy was formulated to address health challenges for the interdependent nations, sectors, and regions with multiple cultures and races, various levels of development, coexistent values, and a variety of capacities. In other words, Global Health Policy was formulated to address disparities when it comes to the management of population health. Similarly, the Affordable Care Policy was formulated to address disparities in the healthcare delivery processes. Also, both the Affordable Care policy and Global Health Policy aimed to improve healthcare delivery quality through research and innovation (Béland et al., 2019). The two organizations are more concerned with the qualification of healthcare professionals. During the formulation of ACA and GHP, there were considerations of different challenges in the healthcare systems, including costs and emerging diseases. Affordable Care Act is also related to the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), a federal policy passed in the year 2005. Just like PSQIA, the Affordable Care Policy was meant to protect both patients and healthcare workers who are likely to report unsafe conditions. Affordable Care Policy was meant to address the goals of GHP and PSQIA through the allocation of enough resources and an increase in access to healthcare systems.

Advocacy Strategies

To ensure that the entire population benefit from the Affordable Care Policy, there is the need to create awareness and inform potential patients and healthcare professionals about the policy’s benefits. Giving patients a voice by informing them about their rights to healthcare services ensures that they can benefit from ACA. Besides, educating patients on the healthcare insurance policies will enable them to understand the requirements in the Affordable Care Policy and how they can benefit from it. In most cases, patients lack knowledge about different insurance policies, especially how they can draw benefits from them (Scott & Scott, 2020). From a Christian perspective, nurses have the responsibility of creating awareness geared towards ensuring quality health outcomes. Also, there is the need for patients from all races to have just and affordable healthcare services. An advanced registered nurse’s professional and moral obligation to advocate for and promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations. When it comes to the provision of quality care geared towards preventing diseases, nurses need to act as advocates to ensure equal treatment and benefits for all. Therefore, through advocacy, patients or different populations will be able to benefit from the Affordable Care Policy.

Conclusion

The Affordable Care Act is one of the major current healthcare policies that has transformed the healthcare industry. The Affordable Care Act was passed and signed into law in the year 2010. Affordable Care policy was mainly designed to significantly reduce the differences in health outcomes among ethnic, racial, as well as primary language groups. In other words, Affordable Care Act was meant to address disparities in healthcare delivery and enhance the provision of healthcare to all the population irrespective of the level of income. Affordable Care Policy is financially sound. Before implementation, it was estimated that Obamacare would reduce the national debt by $140 billion. To ensure that the entire population benefit from the Affordable Care Policy, there is the need to create awareness and inform potential patients and healthcare professionals about the policy’s benefits.

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis References

Barr, D. A. (2016). Introduction to US Health Policy: the organization, financing, and delivery of health care in America. Johns Hopkins University Press.

Béland, D., Rocco, P., & Waddan, A. (2019). Policy feedback and the politics of the Affordable Care Act. Policy Studies Journal, 47(2), 395-422. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/psj.12286

Eichten, Z. (2018). Poison Pills: How Subtle Differences in Processes, Public Opinion, and Leadership Doomed the American Health Care Act and Passed the Affordable Care Act. https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_thesis/56/

Glied, S., & Jackson, A. (2017). The future of the Affordable Care Act and insurance coverage. American journal of public health, 107(4), 538-540. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303665

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Health Policy and Law with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Scott, S. M., & Scott, P. A. (2020). Nursing, advocacy and public policy. Nursing Ethics, 0969733020961823. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0969733020961823

Introduction

All communities deserve disease-free lives to live productively and healthily. Despite this universal wish, health problems, including mental disorders, continue to affect health outcomes adversely in many communities. Among many interventions, health policies establish guidelines for improving health outcomes for individuals, communities, or the entire healthcare system. The purpose of this presentation is to explore a healthcare issue in my local community that can be addressed through a health policy. The first major section is a problem statement that explains the issue and the importance of intervening through a health policy. Other vital sections include the problem’s background and landscape, policy options, and the most appropriate solution (recommendations).

Problem Statement

The problem that deserves maximum attention from healthcare professionals and stakeholders is obesity. It is a severe public health concern due to its high prevalence and the potential of impacting health multi-dimensionally. A significant number of mental disorders can be prevented by obesity control and management. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) reported that obesity prevalence in the United States was 41.9% between 2017 and 2020. Health policy is crucial to prevent the loss of productivity and well-being associated with obesity. Since health policies promote health in communities, a similar response will be instrumental in protecting the community from mental disorders and chronic diseases.

Background

A critical reflection of the problem of obesity in my local community shows that the progressive change in lifestyle patterns is the primary cause. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022) also confirmed a positive link between lifestyle and obesity by stating that changes in eating and physical activity patterns are the major causes of obesity. The other causes include illnesses and medications since depression is a risk factor for obesity, and steroids may cause weight gain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022; Blasco et al., 2020). The implication is that optimal mental health cannot be achieved without addressing the obesity problem. Worse, chronic diseases increase as the obesity rates increase, further increasing healthcare spending.

Landscape

As a public health concern, obesity is a multidimensional problem. It is multidimensional since its causes, effects, and solutions are diverse. A close reflection of its severity and impacts on the community shows that obesity affects all populations. However, ethnic minorities record the highest prevalence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Health statistics show that obesity rates are likely to continue. Therefore, more people will be affected hence the need for sustainable solutions. It is also crucial to note that obesity hampers nurses’ health and well-being. Generally, the increase in chronic conditions and mental disorders is a leading cause of increased hospital visits (Blasco et al., 2020). As a result, nurses’ workload increases proportionately, exposing them to fatigue and possible burnout.

Options

Numerous policy options can effectively address the obesity problem in the community. The first option is intensive community-wide health education. People should be educated on healthy living and the connection between lifestyles and adverse health outcomes. This requires collaboration between healthcare practitioners and community partners. The other intervention is legislation, including banning fast food advertisements and regulating fast food outlets. It could be an effective strategy since banning fast food advertisements reduces consumption (Wise, 2022). The addition of healthcare professionals in the community health centers is another viable option to help the current workforce address obesity proactively and reactively. Obesity prevention programs such as healthy eating can be implemented in education settings to prevent childhood obesity.

Recommendations

Among the options evaluated and their potential impacts, the most effective include banning fast food advertisements and regulating the number of fast food outlets. Chung et al. (2021) found that unhealthy marketing strategies, such as fast food promotion, influence attitudes and consumption of unhealthy foods. As a result, restricting such promotion would effectively influence healthy eating. The policy intervention is highly effective since it is a legal intervention. Therefore, the chances of success and quick implementation are high. Secondly, banning fast food advertisements is an evidence-based intervention for obesity management. Current research (Chung et al., 2021; Wise, 2022) has found it effective at all levels. Importantly, the policy can be sustained since it is relatively inexpensive to implement.

Summary

Obesity is a significant public health concern that requires a multifaceted approach. It hampers the health and well-being of the entire population and adversely impacts healthcare professionals’ ability to offer optimal health. Policy interventions include legislation, the addition of community health providers, and health education programs. Among them, legislation (laws) that bans fast food advertisements and limits the number of fast food outlets would help to address the obesity menace. Addressing obesity implies success in mental health promotion since obesity is a risk factor for depression. It would also help to reduce chronic diseases and the rising healthcare spending, among other much-needed outcomes.

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis References

• Blasco, B. V., García-Jiménez, J., Bodoano, I., & Gutiérrez-Rojas, L. (2020). Obesity and depression: Its prevalence and influence as a prognostic factor: a systematic review. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(8), 715-724. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0099
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Causes of obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/basics/causes.html
• Chung, A., Zorbas, C., Riesenberg, D., Sartori, A., Kennington, K., Ananthapavan, J., & Backholer, K. (2022). Policies to restrict unhealthy food and beverage advertising in outdoor spaces and on publicly owned assets: a scoping review of the literature. Obesity Reviews, 23(2), e13386. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13386
• Wise, J. (2022). Junk food advertising bans do help reduce obesity, say researchers. BMJ2022; 378 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.o1930

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy AnalysisSelect a current or proposed health care policy that is designed to improve a specific population’s access to quality, cost-effective health care. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, include the following:

Explain the policy and how it is designed to improve cost-effectiveness and health care equity for the population. Is the policy financially sound? Why or why not? How does the policy account for any relevant ethical, legal, and political factors and the nursing perceptive one must consider when implementing it?

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy AnalysisTo what state, federal, global health policies or goals is this particular policy related? How well do you think the policy is designed to achieve those goals?

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Finally, discuss the advocacy strategies you would employ on behalf of your population to ensure they have access to the benefits of the policy. Explain, from a Christian perspective, the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurse to advocate for and promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations.

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy AnalysisYou are required to cite five to 10 sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

Assignment: NUR 550 Benchmark – Population Health Policy AnalysisThis assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.