Start By Reading And Following These Instructions Qui 220414

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Start by reading and following these instructions: Quickly skim the questions or assignment below and the assignment rubric to help you focus. Read the required chapter(s) of the textbook and any additional recommended resources. Some answers may require you to do additional research on the Internet or in other reference sources. Choose your sources carefully. Consider the course discussions so far and any insights gained from it.

Create your Assignment submission and be sure to cite your sources if needed, use APA style as required, and check your spelling. Assignment: Population Health Advocacy Human trafficking, extreme poverty, preventable diseases, the opioid crisis and the lack of adequate low-income housing are a few current societal concerns worthy of social change. Nurses and healthcare leaders are in a good position to shape and influence health care policy. Think of a cause you believe in strongly. Access the website of your elected officials either at the local, state, or federal level using the following link: or use the website of your choice.

Explore some of the issues and committees your legislators are involved in and select at least one that interest you or align with your beliefs. You may also contact your legislator’s office and speak to his or her legislative assistant by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard operator at ( for the Senate and ( for the House. Legislator assistants are very knowledgeable about the legislator’s agenda and can provide a wealth of information. This assignment will be at least 1500 words or more.

This week reflect on advocacy, collaborative partnerships with other health care practitioners and stakeholders, and the policy making process and write a paper that addresses the following: Describe the policy issue, policy problem of interest or a particular bill that your legislator has introduced. Elaborate on why the policy matters and what you can possibly do to strengthen the policy? Briefly define the role you would play as an advocate for the healthcare consumer and healthcare professionals. Explain how the policy impacts the public at large or a particular population. What stakeholders would you collaborate with to promote the cause? Assignment Expectations Length : words in length Structure : Include a title page and reference page in APA format.

Paper For Above instruction

The assigned task involves selecting a specific policy issue, bill, or legislative proposal that aligns with personal interests and societal healthcare concerns. As nurses and healthcare leaders are uniquely positioned to influence health policy, the assignment emphasizes understanding the policy’s importance, advocating for change, and engaging with stakeholders to promote improved health outcomes. This paper requires an exploration of the selected policy, its significance, and the role of advocacy within the policymaking process, concluding with strategies to strengthen the policy and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

For this assignment, I have chosen to focus on the issue of access to affordable healthcare for low-income populations, a critical concern given the rising prevalence of preventable diseases and health disparities among vulnerable groups. Specifically, I will examine a bill currently under consideration by my state legislature, which aims to expand Medicaid coverage to previously ineligible populations. The policy’s core purpose is to reduce disparities in healthcare access, improve health outcomes for marginalized groups, and lower long-term healthcare costs through preventive care. This policy matters because health inequities lead to poorer health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and societal costs such as lost productivity and increased social services dependence.

Expanding Medicaid access addresses the social determinants of health by facilitating preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and timely interventions. Without adequate coverage, low-income individuals often forego necessary care, resulting in worse health outcomes and higher emergency care utilization. The policy’s relevance extends beyond individual health, impacting public health at large by reducing disease transmission, decreasing overcrowding in emergency departments, and alleviating the burden on safety-net providers. From a policy perspective, expanding Medicaid also aligns with social justice principles, emphasizing equitable access to healthcare services for all populations, regardless of income.

Strengthening this policy involves several strategies. Advocacy efforts could include raising public awareness about the benefits of Medicaid expansion, compelling legislators to consider health equity as a priority. Engaging community stakeholders, such as patient advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and social service organizations, can amplify the message and build bipartisan support. Additionally, presenting data on cost savings from preventive care and improved health outcomes can persuade policymakers of the economic and social benefits of expansion. Personal involvement may include participating in public hearings, writing letters to legislators, and collaborating with professional associations like the American Nurses Association to mobilize a collective voice in support of policy change.

As an advocate for healthcare consumers and professionals, my role entails acting as a bridge between the community and policymakers. This involves educating the public about their health rights, informing them of ongoing policy debates, and encouraging civic participation. For healthcare professionals, I would promote the importance of policy literacy and the value of evidence-based advocacy. My goal would be to foster collaborative efforts that prioritize patient-centered care while influencing policies to reduce health disparities.

The impacts of this policy extend to specific populations, notably low-income families, uninsured individuals, and marginalized communities disproportionately affected by health disparities. These groups often face barriers such as lack of transportation, limited health literacy, and social disadvantages that hinder access to necessary care. Improving Medicaid coverage would facilitate equitable healthcare access, preventative health measures, and better management of chronic diseases, ultimately reducing health disparities.

Effective stakeholder collaboration is vital for policy success. Relevant stakeholders include healthcare providers, community-based organizations, patient advocacy groups, legislators, and public health agencies. Engaging these partners ensures a multifaceted approach to advocacy, combining clinical insights, community engagement, and political influence. Collaborating with stakeholders also helps build sustainable support and mobilizes resources necessary to sustain policy initiatives over time. For example, working with local clinics and hospitals can provide real-world data to support policy arguments, while partnerships with community organizations can facilitate outreach and education efforts.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2020). Policy and advocacy resources. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/policy-advocacy/
• Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2023). Policy basics: Medicaid expansion. https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/medicaid-expansion
• Gordon, N., et al. (2021). Expanding Medicaid and health equity: A policy analysis. Journal of Public Health Policy, 42(3), 345–359.
• Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). State health facts: Medicaid. https://www.kff.org/statedata/medicaid-state-details/
• Marmot, M. (2015). The health gap: The challenge of an unequal world. The Lancet, 386(10011), 2442-2444.
• National Academy of Medicine. (2020). Advancing health equity through policy. https://nam.edu/
• Roberts, M., & Glick, P. (2019). Social determinants of health and health disparities. Nursing Outlook, 67(6), 789–795.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health
• Yasmin, S., et al. (2022). Advocacy in nursing: Strategies for effective policy change. Nursing Leadership, 35(2), 45–55.
• Zhou, Y., et al. (2023). Policy advocacy and health equity: A framework for nursing professionals. Journal of Healthcare Policy, 8(1), 21–29.