It May Seem To You That Healthcare Has Been A National Topic ✓ Solved

It May Seem To You That Healthcare Has Been A National Topic

Healthcare has been a national topic of debate among political leaders for as long as you can remember. Healthcare has been a policy item and a topic of debate as far back as John Adams. In 1798, Adams signed legislation requiring that 20 cents per month of a sailor’s paycheck be set aside for covering their medical bills. This represented the first major piece of U.S. healthcare legislation, and the topic of healthcare has been woven into presidential agendas ever since. As a healthcare professional, you may provide expertise and opinions on healthcare matters in new policy debates.

You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. You should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news. In this Assignment, you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas and prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact of recent proposed policy.

To Prepare: Review the agenda priorities of the current U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations. Select a healthcare issue addressed by each of the last three U.S. presidential administrations. Reflect on their agendas, including the allocation of financial resources for the selected healthcare issue. Consider how to communicate the importance of this healthcare issue to a legislator or policymaker or their staff for inclusion on an agenda. The Assignment consists of a 1 to 2-page Comparison Grid, 1-page Analysis, and 1-page Fact Sheet.

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid uses the Agenda Comparison Grid Template based on the current U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations related to the public health concern you selected. You must identify and briefly describe the population health concern selected and the contributing factors. Describe the administrative agenda focus on the issue and identify the allocations of financial and other resources dedicated to this issue by the current and two previous presidents. Explain how each presidential administration approached the issue.

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis requires you to complete the analysis portion of the template, addressing which administrative agency would be responsible for helping you address the selected healthcare issue. Consider how this healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents and how it stays there. Choose an entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the selected healthcare issue for the current and two previous presidents.

Part 3: Fact Sheet or Talking Points requires you to develop a 1-page narrative summarizing why the healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation. Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues.

Paper For Above Instructions

Healthcare is a critical topic that has influenced policy decisions in the United States since the administration of John Adams. Over the years, it has remained a focus for U.S. presidents, each addressing different health concerns through their policy agendas. This paper will analyze three presidential administrations: the current administration, that of Barack Obama, and that of George W. Bush. The healthcare issue selected for analysis is access to affordable healthcare, a topic that has consistently affected millions of Americans and remains relevant today.

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid

Access to affordable healthcare is the selected population health concern. This concern affects a large segment of the population, particularly low-income individuals and families, the uninsured, and those with pre-existing conditions. Contributing factors include income inequality, rising healthcare costs, and lack of insurance coverage. Each presidential administration has addressed this issue uniquely, with varying outcomes and budget allocations.

Under the current administration, significant emphasis has been placed on expanding access to healthcare through public options and supporting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For fiscal year 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) allocated approximately $9 billion toward healthcare programs aimed at increasing access.

Barack Obama’s administration focused on the implementation of the ACA, with an estimated allocation of $1.1 trillion over ten years to ensure coverage for millions of Americans, especially those with pre-existing conditions. This commitment aimed to reduce the uninsured rate significantly and improve the overall health of the population.

During George W. Bush's presidency, the focus shifted towards the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, which allocated $400 billion over ten years to enhance prescriptions coverage for seniors, indirectly affecting overall access to healthcare services.

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis

The agency most likely responsible for addressing access to affordable healthcare is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers the nation’s major healthcare programs. This issue may get on the agenda through grassroots advocacy, public health campaigns, and emerging health crisis data that highlights the ongoing need for reform and financial support. Maintaining its presence on the agenda relies on continuous public awareness and the backing of influential lobby groups focused on health equity.

For the current administration, a suitable champion for this healthcare issue would be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who plays a crucial role in shaping healthcare policy and advocating for necessary reforms. For the Obama administration, a potential champion could have been Kathleen Sebelius, the former HHS secretary, while for the Bush administration, Tommy Thompson’s role could be highlighted as he championed healthcare reforms in Medicare and Medicaid.

Part 3: Fact Sheet or Talking Points

Access to affordable healthcare is an essential issue that deserves legislative attention due to its impact on public health and economic security. Millions of Americans continue to struggle with healthcare costs and coverage gaps, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased healthcare expenditures. Including this issue in the legislative agenda not only promotes health equity but also strengthens the economy by reducing the burden of uncompensated care. Nurses play a critical role in agenda setting as they advocate for patients, provide insights on care delivery, and influence health policy decisions based on firsthand knowledge of patient needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, access to affordable healthcare has been a vital concern addressed by various presidential administrations in the U.S. Each administration's approach to the issue signals a commitment to improving health outcomes for Americans. By advocating for this issue through thoughtful analysis and strategic communication, healthcare professionals can significantly impact policy discussions and promote a healthier future for all.

References

• Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. R. (2020). Health care coverage in the United States—A program of the Commonwealth Fund.
• Obama, B. (2016). United States Health Care Reform: Progress to Date and Next Steps.
• KFF. (2021). Key Facts about the Uninsured Population.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Budget in Brief FY 2021.
• U.S. Congressional Budget Office. (2020). The Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Health Insurance Coverage.
• National Academy of Medicine. (2019). The Future of Health Care: Federal and State Responsibilities.
• Thompson, T. (2002). Speech on Medicare Reform. Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov
• Sebelius, K. (2013). The Affordable Care Act: A new era in healthcare.
• AHA. (2020). The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Delivery in the U.S.
• American Nurses Association. (2018). Nurses’ role in advocating for healthcare access.