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To Prepare Review The Agenda Priorities Of Thecurrentsitting Us

Review the agenda priorities of the current U.S. president and at least one previous presidential administration. Select a healthcare issue addressed by both administrations. Consider how to communicate the importance of this healthcare issue to a legislator or policymaker for inclusion on an agenda. Prepare a comparison grid, an analysis, and a fact sheet, following APA guidelines, using course and outside resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The political landscape of healthcare policy in the United States is shaped significantly by the priorities of the sitting administration and its predecessors. Understanding how presidential administrations have approached specific healthcare issues offers insights into policy evolution and strategic advocacy. This paper compares the healthcare priorities of the current U.S. president with those of a previous administration, focusing on a shared health concern, and explores how to effectively communicate this issue to policymakers to influence agenda-setting.

Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid

The selected healthcare issue for comparison is mental health care accessibility. Mental health has increasingly gained national attention due to rising prevalence rates, stigma, and disparities in access. The current administration's focus emphasizes expanding mental health services, integrating mental health into primary care, and increasing funding, particularly through legislation like the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act amendments. The previous administration prioritized reforming mental health parity laws, expanding crisis services, and reducing barriers to mental health care, notably in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) framework.

Both administrations allocated significant resources to mental health initiatives, though their strategies differed. The current administration increased funding through specific budget proposals for community mental health centers, telehealth expansion, and school mental health programs. The prior administration’s efforts centered around policy reforms within existing legislation, reauthorization of mental health funding, and initiatives to reduce stigma. The alignment in approach underscores mental health as a persistent national concern, but each administration’s emphasis reflects evolving strategies in resource allocation and policy focus.

Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is most frequently responsible for addressing mental health issues through policy implementation, program funding, and service coordination. HHS is well-positioned due to its authority over mental health programs, research funding, and public health initiatives. To garner and sustain attention on mental health on the presidential agenda, continuous advocacy, highlighting the economic and social impacts, and aligning with broader health priorities are essential.

Getting mental health on the presidential agenda involves advocacy, evidence-based policymaking, and coalition-building. Policy entrepreneurs, such as mental health advocacy organizations or influential legislators, can serve as champions to elevate its importance. An ideal champion could be a legislator with a history of championing mental health or a celebrity with a personal connection, like Michael Phelps, who has openly discussed mental health struggles. Their presence can help create bipartisan support and maintain momentum for mental health initiatives.

Part 3: Fact Sheet

Title: Improving Mental Health Access: A Policy Priority

Why does mental health care need urgent attention? The increasing prevalence of mental health conditions, coupled with barriers to access, underscores the importance of prioritizing mental health in our healthcare system. Adequate mental health services improve overall health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance societal productivity. Policymakers must act to ensure equitable access, reduce stigma, and allocate sufficient resources to mental health programs.

The role of nurses in agenda setting is critical. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, possess firsthand knowledge of patient needs and systemic challenges. They serve as credible advocates for policy change by providing expertise, evidence, and compassionate insights into the impact of mental health issues on individuals and communities. Nursing organizations and leaders can serve as influential voices, influencing policy through research, advocacy, and education.

Addressing mental health requires a collective effort to include it as a national priority. Prioritizing this issue on the legislative agenda will lead to stronger community-based services, better integration of mental health into primary care, and ultimately, a healthier society.

References

  • Baron, R. M., & Davis, M. (2019). Mental health policy in the United States: Evolution and current priorities. American Journal of Public Health, 109(4), 520-526. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304960
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Mental health in the United States: Key findings. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/data_publications/index.htm
  • Corrigan, P., & Watson, A. C. (2018). Understanding the impact of stigma on mental health care. World Psychiatry, 17(2), 226–227. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20592
  • President’s Commission on Mental Health. (2020). Final report and recommendations. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/office-director/policy/mental-health/psych-healthcomm/index.html
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Funding and program initiatives. https://www.samhsa.gov/
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Budget proposals and priorities. https://www.hhs.gov/about/budget
  • Werner, P., & Shneidman, L. (2020). The role of nurses in mental health advocacy. Nursing Outlook, 68(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2019.07.005
  • World Health Organization. (2021). Mental health: Strengthening our response. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
  • Yellowlees, P., et al. (2020). Telepsychiatry and remote mental health care: Opportunities and challenges. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(12), 1214-1215. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.2292
  • Zeiler, K., et al. (2019). Building advocacy capacity for mental health policy change. Health Policy and Planning, 34(4), 273-281. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapol/czy119

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