The Cost Of Health Care NURS 4105 Advocacy Through H

The Cost Of Health Care NURS 4105 Advocacy Through H

The assignment requires analyzing the impact of medical marijuana legalization on health care costs, access, quality, and safety in Michigan, including funding mechanisms, cost containment efforts, health outcomes, and the role of nurses in policy implementation and patient safety.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Legalizing medical marijuana has become a significant aspect of healthcare policy that influences various facets of the healthcare system, including costs, patient access, safety, and the quality of care. Michigan's legal framework for medical cannabis exemplifies how state policies can shape healthcare delivery, economic outcomes, and professional nursing roles. This paper examines these elements within Michigan’s context, analyzing how policy impacts the broader healthcare environment and the responsibilities of nurses in safeguarding patient safety amid evolving regulations.

Introduction

The legalization of medical marijuana represents a paradigm shift in healthcare policy, emphasizing the importance of balancing therapeutic benefits with safety and cost containment. As states like Michigan progress in establishing comprehensive frameworks for medical cannabis, it becomes crucial to evaluate how such policies influence healthcare costs, outcomes, access, and the roles of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. This analysis explores the financial implications of Michigan’s legislation, the strategies employed to contain costs, health outcomes, and the critical function nurses serve within this evolving legal landscape.

Impact of Legalization on Healthcare Costs and Access

The legalization of medical cannabis in Michigan has had notable economic effects, primarily through reduced prescription drug expenditures. Studies indicate that states permitting medical marijuana have experienced decreased use of opioids, leading to lower Medicare Part D costs. Bradford and Bradford (2016) documented that Michigan's policy contributed to fewer drug prescriptions, which corresponded with a decline in overall drug expenditure among Medicare beneficiaries. This reduction alleviates the financial burden on public and private insurers, potentially freeing resources for other areas of healthcare (Bradford & Bradford, 2016).

Funding mechanisms are a critical component of Michigan’s policy. The state established a Marijuana Regulation Fund funded through licensing fees and excise taxes. The revenues generated—estimated at $44.3 million annually—are used to support the legalization framework and further cannabis-related initiatives (Wolfram, 2016). This revenue not only covers administrative costs but also supports public health programs, thus indicating that legal cannabis can be economically sustainable while enhancing access for qualifying patients.

Cost-Containment Strategies and Regulation Efforts

Michigan's regulatory approach involves licensing, taxation, and strict testing procedures, promoting a transparent and competitive industry that reduces black-market activities. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) oversees licensing, establishing guidelines for product safety, labeling, and advertising restrictions to safeguard consumers and reduce misuse, especially among vulnerable populations like children (Marijuana Policy Project, 2019). Additionally, a 10% excise tax on sales supports public health efforts and generates revenue, contributing toward cost containment and public safety initiatives (Wolfram, 2016).

This regulatory framework aims to minimize health risks by implementing quality standards—such as testing for pesticides and contaminants—and requiring child-resistant packaging. Moreover, the licensing process aims to eliminate illegal sales channels, ensuring that patient access occurs through monitored and safe channels, which are essential for maintaining quality and safety standards.

Health Outcomes Related to Policy Implementation

One of the significant health impacts associated with medical marijuana legalization is the reduction in opioid-related mortality. Wilkinson et al. (2016) and Todd (2018) found that states with medical cannabis laws experienced a 24.8% decline in opioid overdose deaths. This substitution effect suggests that medical marijuana serves as an effective alternative for pain management, potentially lowering dependence on opioids and reducing adverse outcomes like overdose and addiction (Lucas & Walsh, 2017).

Furthermore, evidence suggests that medical cannabis may impact cancer patients and those with chronic pain conditions positively by providing symptom relief and improving quality of life (Orellana-Serradell et al., 2015). Cannabis's anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties contribute to these health benefits, highlighting the importance of appropriate policy frameworks that facilitate safe access while monitoring health outcomes.

Role of Nurses in Ensuring Safety and Quality of Care

Nurses play a pivotal role in translating policy into safe clinical practice. Despite cannabis’s Schedule I federal status, state laws permit medical use, positioning nurses as essential educators and advocates for patient safety (NCSBN, 2018). They are responsible for assessing patient needs, providing education on safe use, and monitoring adverse effects. An understanding of the endocannabinoid system, pharmacology, and legal regulations enables nurses to counsel patients accurately and ethically. Furthermore, nurses can advocate for evidence-based policies and participate in ongoing research to improve safety standards (Mason et al., 2016).

Given the expanding role of medical cannabis in chronic pain and cancer symptom management, nurses must be equipped with current knowledge about dosage, interactions, and potential side effects. They are also instrumental in identifying contraindications, especially in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women or those with psychiatric illnesses. By ensuring comprehensive patient education and adherence to safety protocols, nurses safeguard the health outcomes associated with medical cannabis use.

Conclusion

The legalization of medical marijuana in Michigan exemplifies how policy can influence health care costs, access, safety, and health outcomes. The structured regulation, taxation, and oversight promote a safer, more accessible environment for patients while reducing economic burdens associated with opioid misuse. Nurses, as frontline providers, hold a crucial responsibility in ensuring safety and quality, advocating for evidence-based practices, and educating patients. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, ongoing assessment and adjustment of policies, guided by nursing expertise and research, are essential for optimizing health outcomes and maintaining public safety.

References

  • Bradford, A. C., & Bradford, W. D. (2016). Medical marijuana laws reduce prescription medication use in Medicare part D. Health Affairs, 35(7), 1230-1236. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1661
  • Klieger, S. B., Gutman, A., Allen, L., Pacula, R. L., Ibrahim, J. K., & Burris, S. (2017). Mapping medical marijuana: State laws regulating patients, product safety, supply chains, and dispensaries. Addiction, 112(12), 2206-2216. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13910
  • Lucas, P., & Walsh, Z. (2017). Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients. International Journal of Drug Policy, 42, 30-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.01.011
  • Mason, D. J., Gardner, D. B., Outlaw, F. H., & O’Grady, E. T. (2016). Policy & politics in nursing and health care (7th ed.). Elsevier.
  • Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, Initiated Law 1. (2018). Retrieved from [State Government Website]
  • NCSBN. (2018). The NCSBN national nursing guidelines for medical marijuana. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(2), 15-22.
  • Orellana-Serradell, O., Poblete, C. E., Sanchez, C., et al. (2015). Proapoptotic effect of endocannabinoids in prostate cancer cells. Oncology Reports, 33(4), 1599–1608. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2015.3746
  • Pacula, R. L., & Smart, R. (2017). Medical marijuana and marijuana legalization. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13, 397-419. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045217
  • Thomas, B. F., & ElSohly, M. A. (2016). The analytical chemistry of cannabis: Quality assessment, assurance, and regulation. In The Analytical Chemistry of Cannabis (pp. 83–99). Elsevier.
  • Wilkinson, S. T., Yarnell, S., Radhakrishnan, R., Ball, S. A., & D’Souza, D. C. (2016). Marijuana legalization: Impact on physicians and public health. Annual Review of Medicine, 67, 453-466. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-051715-104915

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