Choose A Legislator At The State Or Federal Level Who Is ALS ✓ Solved

Choose A Legislator On The State Or Federal Level Who Is Also A Nurse

Choose a legislator on the state or federal level who is also a nurse and discuss the importance of the legislator/nurse's role as advocate for improving health care delivery. What specific bills has the legislator/nurse sponsored or supported that have influenced health care? Research legislation that has occurred within the last 5 years at the state or federal level as a result of nurse advocacy. Describe the legislation and what was accomplished. What additional steps need to be taken to continue advocacy for this issue?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The role of nurses in legislative advocacy is critical in shaping health care policies that directly affect patient care, health outcomes, and the overall health system. A prominent example of a nurse who has transitioned into a legislative role is Lauren Underwood, a U.S. Representative from Illinois’s 14th district. As a registered nurse and a public health expert, Underwood's unique perspective provides valuable insights into the complexity of health care legislation and advocacy. Her contributions exemplify the importance of nursing professionals engaging in legislative processes to advocate for improved health care delivery.

Lauren Underwood's background as a nurse and public health expert highlights her commitment to healthcare reform. Her advocacy is rooted in addressing the social determinants of health and ensuring equitable access to quality care. Her legislative efforts focus on several pressing issues including maternal health, access to mental health services, and health equity. Her experience as a nurse affords her an understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and clinicians, which informs her policy initiatives and advocacy efforts.

One notable bill supported by Underwood is the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, which aimed to reduce maternal mortality and improve maternal health care services. This legislation expanded access to postpartum care, increased funding for maternal health programs, and promoted data collection to identify disparities affecting Black women and other marginalized groups. Since its introduction, the bill has contributed to heightened awareness and policy development aimed at reducing maternal mortality, a significant health disparity in the United States. According to the Office of Minority Health (2021), Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, underscoring the necessity of such legislation.

In addition to the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, Underwood has supported legislation aimed at expanding mental health services, addressing healthcare workforce shortages, and improving access to telehealth services. For example, her support for the Mental Health Access Improvement Act has helped increase funding for mental health programs, which are often underfunded and under-resourced, particularly in underserved communities (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2022). These legislative efforts demonstrate her commitment to holistic health care and reducing disparities.

Over the past five years, nurse advocacy has played a pivotal role in influencing legislation at both the state and federal levels. For instance, many states have introduced bills aimed at expanding scope-of-practice laws for nurses, facilitating increased access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas (American Nurses Association, 2020). These legislative changes, propelled by nursing advocacy, have led to increased autonomy for nurses, allowing them to provide higher levels of care and address provider shortages effectively.

Despite these gains, ongoing advocacy is necessary to continue the momentum. Further steps include expanding funding for nurse-led health initiatives, advocating for policies that address social determinants of health, and increasing the visibility of nurses in policymaking roles. Additionally, strengthening collaboration among nurses, healthcare organizations, and policymakers can enhance the development, implementation, and evaluation of health legislation. Advocating for sustained investment in nurse education and leadership development would empower more nurses to take active roles in legislative advocacy.

Furthermore, public awareness campaigns can mobilize community support for health-related legislation, emphasizing the vital role nurses play not only in clinical settings but also in shaping health policy. Educating nurse practitioners and registered nurses about the legislative process and providing them with advocacy tools can foster a robust movement for health care reform rooted in nursing expertise (Bodenheimer & Mason, 2017). In conclusion, nurse-legislators like Lauren Underwood exemplify the impact nurses can have on health policy, and continued advocacy efforts are essential for advancing equitable, accessible, and high-quality health care.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2020). Scope of practice for registered nurses. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org
• Bodenheimer, T., & Mason, D. (2017). The primary care-mental health integration project: Rationale, design, and lessons learned. The Annals of Family Medicine, 15(2), 133-138.
• National Conference of State Legislatures. (2022). Mental health services legislation. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org
• Office of Minority Health. (2021). Pregnancy-related mortality data. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov