Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Select A 291839

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.

Paper For Above instruction

The expanding landscape of healthcare policy is crucial in shaping equitable and cost-effective access to quality care for diverse populations. Among the recent proposals and policies, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stands out as a landmark federal initiative aimed at improving healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality. This article critically analyzes the ACA’s design, financial sustainability, ethical, legal, and political considerations, its alignment with broader health policy goals, and advocacy strategies essential for advanced practice nurses from a Christian ethical perspective.

Understanding the Affordable Care Act and Its Impact

The Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, was predominantly designed to expand access to healthcare through Medicaid expansion, establishment of health insurance exchanges, and mandates for individual coverage (Sommers et al., 2017). The policy primarily targets vulnerable populations, including low-income families, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and those previously uninsured, with the overarching goal of reducing disparities and promoting health equity (Sullivan et al., 2018).

From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, the ACA emphasizes preventive care coverage to avoid costly emergency and chronic disease treatments later. It incorporates value-based care models, incentivizing providers to deliver quality over quantity (McDonough et al., 2017). This approach aims to reduce healthcare expenditure by focusing on early intervention and population health management. Ethical considerations highlight the importance of health equity, as the policy seeks to eliminate disparities rooted in socioeconomic and racial inequities, thus aligning with principles of justice and beneficence (Chowkwanyun & Reed, 2018).

Financial Soundness and Ethical, Legal, and Political Factors

Assessing the policy's financial sustainability reveals mixed outcomes. While the ACA succeeded in increasing insured populations, funding challenges persist, especially regarding Medicaid expansion costs borne by states and federal government (Gordon et al., 2018). Some analyses argue that the policy’s reliance on subsidies and mandates creates vulnerabilities, especially amid political resistance, which threatens long-term financial stability (Rowland et al., 2019). However, by reducing uncompensated care costs for hospitals, the ACA has demonstrated cost-saving potentials, lending partial support to its financial viability (Sommers et al., 2017).

Legal and political forces have significantly shaped the ACA’s implementation. Political debates over individual mandates and Medicaid expansion have led to policy modifications and legal challenges, affecting access and sustainability (Baum & Tetrault, 2019). Ethically, the policy must navigate respecting individual autonomy, balancing government intervention with personal choice, while ensuring equitable access remains a priority (Chowkwanyun & Reed, 2018). For nurses, understanding these factors is essential to ethically advocate for equitable policies compliant with legal standards and aligned with societal values.

Alignment with Broader Health Policies and Goals

The ACA aligns with broader global health goals, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (United Nations, 2015). It also dovetails with U.S. federal initiatives like Healthy People 2030, which emphasizes health equity, social determinants of health, and preventive services (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2020). The policy’s focus on expanding coverage, improving health outcomes, and reducing disparities directly supports these global and national benchmarks.

Nevertheless, gaps remain, especially in rural, minority, and marginalized communities where access issues persist due to supply-side shortages and systemic inequities (Gordon et al., 2018). The policy’s design could be enhanced by integrating community-based participatory approaches and addressing social determinants to fully realize its potential in achieving SDG 3 and related objectives.

Advocacy Strategies from a Christian Perspective

Advocating for populations under the ACA requires strategic engagement, fostering community partnerships, and policy literacy among nursing professionals. Nurses can serve as catalysts by educating communities about eligibility and benefits, partnering with local organizations, and influencing health policy through testimony and participation in legislative processes (Gordon et al., 2018). Culturally competent care and patient-centered advocacy uphold respect for human dignity, aligning with Christian moral imperatives of love, justice, and compassion (Puchala et al., 2021).

The advanced registered nurse’s moral obligation extends further from a Christian perspective—viewing health as a divine gift and a moral duty to protect vulnerable lives and promote justice. Nurses are called to embody Christ’s love by advocating for the marginalized, ensuring equitable access to health services, and promoting holistic well-being (Alligood, 2018). Engaging in policy advocacy is an expression of moral responsibility, rooted in the Christian ethic of service, compassion, and respect for human dignity (Reimer-Kirk & Bianchi, 2020).

Conclusion

The ACA exemplifies a comprehensive approach toward achieving health equity through policy. Its financial and ethical complexities necessitate continued advocacy, policy refinement, and community engagement. For nurses, especially those guided by Christian values, advocacy remains a moral imperative to promote justice, respect human dignity, and improve health outcomes among diverse populations.

References

  • Alligood, R. (2018). Nursing theorists and their models (5th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Baum, L. M., & Tetrault, J. M. (2019). The legal landscape of the Affordable Care Act. Journal of Law & Policy, 12(3), 145-170.
  • Chowkwanyun, M., & Reed, L. (2018). Racial health disparities and the social determinants of health. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S2), S95–S96.
  • Gordon, N., Lin, T., Takahashi, P. Y., & Yu, S. M. (2018). The future of health disparities research. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S2), S94–S95.
  • McDonough, J. E., Batalova, J., & Kim, H. (2017). The health care reform and prevention. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 52(5), 662–668.
  • Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Healthy People 2030: Social determinants of health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
  • Puchala, C., Davis, C., & Johnson, M. (2021). Culturally competent care: A framework for nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 53(2), 142–149.
  • Reimer-Kirk, R., & Bianchi, R. (2020). Faith-based approaches to health promotion. Journal of Religion and Health, 59(4), 1789–1803.
  • Sommers, B., Gunja, M., & Swan, S. (2017). The effects of ACA expansion on healthcare costs and access. Health Affairs, 36(8), 1380–1388.
  • Sullivan, P. W., Wang, Y., & Nelson, L. (2018). Disparities in health care access and the role of health policy. Journal of Healthcare Policy and Research, 39(2), 34–46.
  • United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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