Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Select A Current

Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysisselect A Current Or Propo

Benchmark - Population Health Policy Analysis Select 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: 1. 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 perspective one must consider when implementing it? 2. To 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? 3. 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. You 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. This 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.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolving landscape of healthcare continually necessitates the development and evaluation of policies aimed at improving access, affordability, and equity. A pertinent example is the proposed expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which seeks to enhance healthcare access among low-income populations, reduce disparities, and promote cost-effective care. This paper critically examines the Medicaid expansion policy, its design to improve cost-effectiveness and health equity, its alignment with national and global health policies, and the advocacy strategies employed by advanced registered nurses (ARNs) from a Christian perspective.

Understanding the Medicaid Expansion Policy

The Medicaid expansion policy under the ACA was enacted to extend federal Medicaid coverage to individuals earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, regardless of categorical eligibility such as pregnancy or disability. The primary goal was to decrease the number of uninsured Americans, thereby improving access to preventive and primary care services. The policy is designed to be cost-effective by reducing reliance on emergency services, which are more expensive than preventive care, and by leveraging federal funding to cover the expansion costs initially. States adopting the expansion benefit from increased federal funding, which buffer state budgets from the financial burden of covering uninsured populations.

Cost-Effectiveness and Equity Aspects

The policy enhances cost-effectiveness by decreasing uncompensated care costs for hospitals and emergency services, ultimately shifting expenses towards more preventive care models. Additionally, it promotes health equity by providing coverage to vulnerable populations who historically face barriers to healthcare access, thus reducing disparities in health outcomes. Critics, however, argue that sustainability remains a concern, especially in states that have yet to adopt expansion, citing potential long-term financial burdens on state budgets and the federal government's fiscal capacity. The financial soundness of the policy depends largely on federal continuation of funding and state commitment, which introduces variability into its effectiveness.

Ethical, Legal, and Political Considerations

From an ethical standpoint, the policy aligns with the principle of justice by striving for equitable access to healthcare. Legally, it navigates the complexities of federalism, with individual states having the authority to opt-in or opt-out. Politically, the expansion has faced opposition rooted in concerns over federal spending, state sovereignty, and ideological differences. Nursing professionals must consider these factors when advocating for implementation, ensuring culturally sensitive communication and community engagement to address public concerns. Legally, nurses should be aware of policy mandates and protections, including Medicaid rights and patient privacy laws. Ethically, they must uphold advocacy grounded in beneficence and respect for human dignity.

Alignment with National and Global Health Policies

The Medicaid expansion aligns with national health policies and global health objectives such as the WHO’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goal, which emphasizes equitable access to quality health services without financial hardship. It also supports the United States’ Healthy People 2030 objectives aimed at reducing health disparities and increasing healthcare coverage. The policy’s design to provide coverage for underserved populations directly contributes to these goals. Nonetheless, ongoing assessment and strategic adjustments are necessary to ensure the policy effectively achieves its intended outcomes, especially considering socioeconomic and geographic disparities across states.

Advocacy Strategies and the Christian Perspective

To advocate effectively for populations affected by Medicaid expansion, nurses can implement culturally competent education campaigns, leverage community partnerships, and work with policymakers to address barriers in enrollment and access. Engaging faith-based organizations offers a pathway to reach diverse populations, utilizing moral authority to emphasize the importance of health equity. From a Christian perspective, the professional and moral obligation of ARNs is rooted in the biblical principles of compassion, justice, and respect for human dignity (Matthew 25:35-40). As stewards of health, nurses are called to serve the vulnerable, advocate for systemic change, and promote social justice, reflecting Christ’s love through action and service (Gutierrez, 2018; Rasoal et al., 2019).

Conclusion

The Medicaid expansion policy exemplifies a comprehensive effort to improve healthcare access, promote equity, and contain costs within the U.S. healthcare system. While financially sound in federally funded scenarios, concerns remain at the state level based on political and economic considerations. Ethical, legal, and political factors must be carefully navigated by nursing professionals committed to advocacy and social justice, aligned with national and global health objectives. From a Christian perspective, ARNs have a moral obligation to champion health equity, uphold human dignity, and work tirelessly to prevent disease and promote wellness among diverse populations, embodying compassion and justice in their professional endeavors.

References

• Berwick, D. M., & Hackbarth, A. D. (2016). Eliminating waste in US health care. JAMA, 315(14), 1503-1504.
• Gillespie, G. L., Coe, K., & Boyer, C. (2018). Nursing advocacy in health policy: Building capacity among nurses. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 164-170.
• Gutierrez, G. (2018). The Christian ethics of health care. Journal of Faith, Medicine & Culture, 4(2), 29–35.
• Rasoal, D., Bakke, A., Skar, S., & Sæbø, G. (2019). Nurses’ perspectives on ethical decision-making in health care: A qualitative study. Nursing Ethics, 26(7-8), 2284-2296.
• United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Healthy People 2030 Objectives. Retrieved from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-utilization
• World Health Organization. (2019). Universal Health Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/healthsystems/universal_health_coverage/en/
• Bach, P. B., Kahn, J. G., & Cella, D. (2020). Ethical considerations in health policy: Equity and justice. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383(9), 804-808.
• Long, S. K., & Knapp, P. (2020). Medicaid and CHIP excellence in state programs. Health Affairs, 39(6), 986-992.
• Freeman, T. R., & Brashers, V. L. (2017). Policy advocacy and ethics: The nurse’s role. Nursing Ethics, 24(4), 433-442.
• National Academy of Medicine. (2021). Framework for Enhancing the Role of Nursing in Health Equity. National Academies Press.