Edith Elizabeth Gonzalez: State Health Policy In America ✓ Solved
Edith Elizabeth Gonzalez The state health policy in America is
The state health policy in America is the “Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Policy” which came into being as a result of President Barack Obama enacting a law to allow all employees to be contributors to a scheme that insures their health, famously known as Obamacare. The policy was enacted in 2010 and requires all employers to enroll their workers into health insurance schemes. In this sense, every American citizen is entitled to a health insurance cover, which they contribute to in part. The insurance policy utilized tools like the “cheat sheets,” the “work plan,” the self-audit tool, and the exchange function checklist tool to implement the policy (Hall & Lord, 2014).
The political climate has significantly affected the choice of policy tools and the behavioral assumptions by policymakers. Opposition to the policy influenced the choice of tools that allowed the government to be directly involved in implementing the plan. This opposition also affected behavior that suggested resistance to the entire initiative. Votes nearly derailed the implementation of the policy. The current president has used the scheme as a campaign tool, claiming it makes Americans poorer. Political dynamics also obscured financial allocations for the program and influenced the overall structure of the plan (Tanenbaum, 2016).
Professional nursing organizations have been actively involved in this policy issue by being mandated to encourage customers to register for the plan and begin contributing. Healthcare professionals have been tasked with advising employees to ensure their employers enroll them and contribute toward the scheme.
Talking Points for Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare practitioners are responsible for the overall well-being of citizens in their communities; thus, their involvement is crucial in the policy formulation, testing, adjustment, and implementation. The primary goal of the policy should be to enhance quality healthcare for all citizens. Professionals must take an active role in educating customers about the importance of health insurance covers and encourage them to contribute, becoming benefactors of the policy.
Understanding the State Health Policy
A state health policy can be defined as a government initiative in collaboration with concerned policymakers designed to achieve the current and future objectives of high-quality and affordable healthcare services that benefit the populace. This initiative is outlined and articulated through processes and formulations guided by legislation, opinions, guidelines, regulations, and standards.
The current healthcare policy in America, the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, initiated Obamacare, was enacted in 2010 requiring employers to provide their workers with health insurance. This law mandates every citizen to possess health insurance and contribute towards it. Tools used for implementing this policy include the “cheat sheets,” work plans, the self-audit insurance tool, and the checklist for the exchange function (Hall & Lord, 2014).
The Role of the Political Climate
The political climate has played a critical role in influencing the choice and use of various tools available for implementing the policy. Opposition to direct government involvement in financing and structuring the implementation of the policy led to the necessity for the specific tools mentioned above (Tanenbaum, 2016).
Nursing Organizations and Policy Involvement
Professional nursing organizations are crucial in ensuring compliance with this policy among employees and employers. They are responsible for encouraging active participation amongst all parties involved, thus promoting the advantages of the policy.
Further Points for Engagement
Healthcare professionals should actively engage in policy initiatives to ensure that affordable quality healthcare services are accessible to all Americans. They should encourage citizens to contribute to the scheme and provide all necessary information regarding the policy. By employing all available mechanisms, they can help ensure that the objectives of the policy are effectively achieved.
References
- Hall, M. A., & Lord, R. (2014). Obamacare: What the Affordable Care Act means for patients and physicians. BMJ, 349(7), g5376-g5376.
- Tanenbaum, S. (2016). Person-centered health policy in the US: The case of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). European Journal for Person Centered Healthcare, 4(2).