Select A Current Or Proposed Health Care Policy That 484254
Select A Current Or Proposed Health Care Policy That Is Designed To Im
Select a current or proposed health care policy that is designed to improve a specific population’s access to quality, cost-effective health care. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, include the following: 1. Explain the policy and how it is designed to improve cost-effectiveness and health care equity for the population. Is the policy financially sound? Why or why not? How does the policy account for any relevant ethical, legal, and political factors and the nursing perspective one must consider when implementing it? 2. To what state, federal, global health policies or goals is this particular policy related? How well do you think the policy is designed to achieve those goals? 3. Finally, discuss the advocacy strategies you would employ on behalf of your population to ensure they have access to the benefits of the policy. Explain, from a Christian perspective, the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurse to advocate for and promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations. You are required to cite five to 10 sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion. You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The healthcare landscape continuously evolves to address disparities, improve quality, and ensure equitable access to services for diverse populations. Among various policies, the Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exemplifies a comprehensive effort aimed at enhancing access to affordable, quality healthcare for low-income individuals. This paper explores the Medicaid Expansion policy, analyzing its design to improve cost-effectiveness and healthcare equity, its alignment with national and global health goals, ethical considerations, and advocacy strategies from a Christian nursing perspective.
Overview of the Medicaid Expansion Policy
The Medicaid Expansion, enacted as part of the ACA in 2010, aimed to widen Medicaid eligibility to individuals with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). The core objective was to increase access to preventive, primary, and acute care services for traditionally underserved populations, thereby reducing health disparities and improving overall population health. The policy is designed to be cost-effective by reducing uncompensated care costs for hospitals and emergency departments, decreasing preventable hospitalizations, and promoting early intervention and disease management (Gordon et al., 2020).
Funding for Medicaid expansion is primarily federal, with the federal government covering 90% of the costs for expansion populations initially, gradually decreasing over time. State governments are responsible for administering the program within federal guidelines, which introduces variability in implementation and success across states, depending on political will and resource allocation.
Financial Soundness and Ethical, Legal, and Political Considerations
Financially, Medicaid expansion is considered sustainable in states that have adopted it due to the substantial federal funding and the potential for long-term cost savings through reduced acute care costs (Long et al., 2021). However, states that have opted out face barriers related to apprehensions about increased state expenditures and political opposition.
Ethically, the policy aligns with principles of justice and equity, aiming to eliminate disparities in healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Legally, the ACA's constitutionality faced challenges, but the Supreme Court upheld the Medicaid expansion as a constitutional exercise of Congress's taxing powers, allowing states to opt-in or opt-out (Geyman & Ford, 2020). Politically, the policy has faced polarization, with bipartisan debates questioning federal spending and state autonomy.
From a nursing perspective, addressing ethical considerations involves advocating for equitable access to care, respecting patient dignity, and ensuring that implementation respects individual rights without discrimination. Legally, nurses must understand their scope within policy frameworks, and politically, they can serve as advocates to influence policy expansion and resource allocation.
Alignment with State, Federal, and Global Health Goals
The Medicaid Expansion supports numerous health policy goals, including the Affordable Care Act’s objectives of reducing uninsured rates, improving health outcomes, and promoting health equity. At the federal level, it aligns with Healthy People 2030's emphasis on equitable access and social determinants of health (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2020).
Globally, the policy echoes international health goals such as the WHO’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets, emphasizing that all individuals should access necessary health services without financial hardship (WHO, 2021). The expansion contributes to reducing health disparities within the United States and advancing progress toward UHC objectives.
While effective in addressing access, the policy’s success depends on consistent implementation across states, integration with broader social policies addressing social determinants, and continuous monitoring of health outcomes.
Advocacy Strategies and the Christian Perspective
Advocating for populations impacted by Medicaid expansion involves community engagement, education, and policy mobilization. Strategies include partnering with community organizations, facilitating community health assessments, and lobbying policymakers to expand or sustain Medicaid initiatives. Nurses can serve as trusted voices, sharing stories and data that highlight the policy’s benefits and the detriments of exclusion.
From a Christian nursing ethic, advocating for health equity reflects the moral obligation to respect human dignity, promote justice, and serve as stewards of health in the community (Puchalski et al., 2019). The profession’s commitment to human dignity aligns with biblical principles of compassion, care, and justice. Advanced practice nurses are called to lead efforts that bridge gaps in access, foster health promotion, and prevent disease, especially among marginalized groups.
The moral obligation extends to addressing social determinants of health—such as housing, education, and income—which influence health outcomes. Christian nurses see advocacy as a moral imperative rooted in love and service, consistent with the scriptural call to serve "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40). Promoting health and preventing disease among diverse populations fulfill the divine mandate to love one’s neighbor and uphold human dignity.
Conclusion
The Medicaid Expansion under the ACA exemplifies a health policy designed to improve access, promote equity, and ensure cost-effective care for vulnerable populations. While financially sound in many contexts and aligned with national and global health goals, its success depends on political will and effective implementation. From an ethical, legal, and nursing perspective, the policy embodies principles of justice and compassion, requiring advocacy efforts rooted in moral duty and spiritual values. Nurses, especially those advanced in practice, play a crucial role in championing health equity through leadership, advocacy, and service—all aligned with a Christian ethic of love and justice.
References
Geyman, J. P., & Ford, R. (2020). The legal history of the Affordable Care Act: Challenges and implications. Journal of Health Law, 55(2), 123-136.
Gordon, L. G., O'Sullivan, M., & Walsh, K. (2020). Cost savings and health outcomes associated with Medicaid expansion: A systematic review. Health Policy Review, 14(3), 95-105.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). Medicaid expansion and coverage. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-expansion-and-coverage/
Long, S. K., Stockley, K., & Ireys, H. (2021). State variations in Medicaid expansion and health system outcomes. American Journal of Public Health, 111(5), 789-798.
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2020). Healthy People 2030: Equity and social determinants. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health
Puchalski, C. M., Ferrell, B., Virani, R., et al. (2019). Improving spiritual care as a essential component of palliative care: The report of the consensus conference. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 22(10), 1318-1323.
World Health Organization. (2021). Universal health coverage. https://www.who.int/initiatives/universal-health-coverage