Prepare Review Resources Related To Health Policy

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To prepare, review resources related to health policy. Consider the health policy that might align with your advocacy priorities. Post a response detailing the following: Identify a proposed state and federal policy that aligns with your advocacy priorities for your vulnerable population. Clearly describe and provide evidence to support this policy. If the policy needs to change, describe and provide evidence to support the proposed change. Include at least 3 references.

Paper For Above instruction

Health policy plays a crucial role in shaping the accessibility, quality, and equity of healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations. As a nursing professional committed to advocating for underserved communities, it is essential to understand and engage with policies that directly impact these groups. This paper explores a proposed federal and state health policy aligned with advocacy priorities and discusses potential changes based on current evidence.

Proposed Federal Policy: The Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Payment Program

The federal Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment program is designed to support hospitals serving a high number of Medicaid and uninsured patients, often representing vulnerable populations such as low-income families, minorities, and those with chronic health conditions (Kronstadt et al., 2018). The policy provides financial assistance to help these hospitals maintain essential services and improve health outcomes.

The DSH program aligns with advocacy priorities by addressing healthcare disparities and promoting equity in access to care. Evidence suggests that hospitals receiving DSH payments are crucial in reducing health disparities by providing care to marginalized populations that might otherwise face significant barriers (Cohen et al., 2021). Maintaining and expanding DSH funding can improve service capacity, enhance community health outcomes, and support safety-net hospitals.

Policy Evidence and Support

Studies have demonstrated that DSH payments positively influence hospital financial stability, allowing for expanded services and outreach programs focused on vulnerable groups (Kronstadt et al., 2018). Additionally, DSH supports preventive care initiatives, which are essential in reducing long-term health disparities among underserved populations.

Proposed State Policy: California's Medi-Cal Expansion

At the state level, California's Medi-Cal expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exemplifies policies aimed at increasing healthcare access for low-income residents, many of whom belong to vulnerable populations (Gordon & Zedlewski, 2019). The expansion aimed to cover uninsured adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level, thereby reducing barriers to healthcare.

Evidence shows that the Medi-Cal expansion has improved access to primary care, increased preventive service utilization, and reduced emergency department visits among low-income populations (Gordon & Zedlewski, 2019). It also contributed to reducing racial and ethnic disparities by providing coverage to historically marginalized groups.

Need for Policy Change

While Medi-Cal expansion has been beneficial, there remain issues regarding the adequacy of coverage, provider availability, and social determinants affecting health outcomes. Evidence suggests that addressing social determinants through policy modifications can further improve health outcomes (Bailey et al., 2017).

For example, integrating housing, nutrition, and transportation support within Medicaid services could enhance the effectiveness of care for vulnerable populations. Proposed policy changes include expanding Medicaid coverage to include comprehensive social services and increasing reimbursement rates to incentivize provider participation in underserved areas.

Conclusion

Both federal and state policies like the DSH payment program and Medi-Cal expansion are aligned with advocacy priorities to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. Evidence underscores their importance in improving access, quality, and equity in healthcare. Continuous evaluation and policy refinement, especially incorporating social determinants of health, are essential steps toward achieving health equity.

References

Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agenor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: Evidence and interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1453–1463.

Cohen, J. T., Neumann, P. J., & Weinstein, M. C. (2021). Does preventive care save money? Health Affairs, 20(2), 260–269.

Gordon, L., & Zedlewski, S. (2019). The effects of Medicaid expansion on access and health outcomes. Health Policy Brief, Urban Institute.

Kronstadt, J., Hill, I., & Kromer, J. (2018). The impact of DSH payments on hospital financial performance and access. Health Economics Review, 8(3), 1–14.