Respond To This DB Using APA And Include At Least 2 Scholarl

Respond To This Db Using Apa And Include At Least 2 Scholarly Referenc

Respond to this DB using APA and include at least 2 scholarly references. The discussion emphasizes the challenge of rising healthcare costs in the United States and the complex process of developing effective healthcare policies that address competing needs such as those of the workforce, resources, and patients. It highlights how balancing these needs influences cost containment and quality of care, along with strategies for achieving sustainable solutions.

Healthcare policy development involves addressing the intertwined needs of the workforce, resources, and patients, each of which has implications for costs and quality outcomes. The healthcare workforce is fundamental for delivering care; ensuring their well-being through fair compensation and manageable workloads not only maintains workforce stability but also can help mitigate costly turnover and burnout (Milliken, 2018). Simultaneously, equitable resource allocation is vital for optimizing healthcare delivery, preventing waste, and funding preventive and community-based care initiatives that can reduce long-term expenses (Berwick & Hackbarth, 2012). Prioritizing patient-centered care—by improving access, affordability, and safety—can prevent costly advances of disease and reduce emergency and hospital-based treatments (American Nurses Association, 2015).

To effectively address rising costs, policymakers must implement strategies like investing in workforce support programs, such as mental health resources for healthcare staff, and enhancing resource efficiency through evidence-based allocation of funds, especially toward preventive care and telemedicine. Expanding access to affordable healthcare—including subsidies and Medicaid expansion—remains critical for reducing delays in treatment and preventing costly complications (Cutler & Sahni, 2013). Interdisciplinary collaboration and continual policy review are essential for adapting to changing healthcare landscapes and emerging challenges.

In summary, balancing the competing needs in healthcare policy development is crucial in addressing the national issue of rising healthcare costs. Ethical considerations — as outlined by nurses and healthcare professionals — should underpin efforts to create equitable, accessible, and cost-effective systems. Targeted reforms that prioritize workforce support, resource efficiency, and patient-centered care must be integrated to foster a sustainable and high-quality healthcare system (Berwick & Hackbarth, 2012; Milliken, 2018).

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. American Nurses Association.
  • Berwick, D. M., & Hackbarth, A. D. (2012). Eliminating waste in US health care. JAMA, 307(14), 1513-1516. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.362
  • Cutler, D. M., & Sahni, N. R. (2013). If slow rate of health care spending growth persists, projections may be off by $770 billion. Health Affairs, 32(5), 841-849. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2012.1258
  • Milliken, A. (2018). Ethical awareness: What it is and why it matters. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1), Manuscript 1. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No01Man01
  • Kelly, P., & Porr, C. (2018). Ethical nursing care versus cost containment: Considerations to enhance RN practice. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(1), Manuscript 6. https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol23No01Man06