When Politics And Medical Science Intersect There Can Be Muc

When Politics And Medical Science Intersect There Can Be Much Debate

When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding the causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety. In a five-paragraph document, identify a recently proposed health policy and share your analysis of the evidence in support of this policy.

Paper For Above instruction

Recent developments in health policy reveal ongoing debates about the implementation of mental health parity laws in the United States. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), enacted in 2008, aimed to ensure that mental health and substance use disorder benefits are no more restrictive than medical and surgical benefits. Although the legislation has been in effect for over a decade, efforts to strengthen and expand access continue, especially amid the increasing mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A proposed policy within the last five years seeks to mandate comprehensive parity implementation and improve enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that insurers adhere strictly to parity standards. This policy's background stems from identified gaps between legislation and practice, with reports indicating that many insurance plans still impose restrictions disproportionate to those for physical health conditions. The evidence supporting this policy underscores the importance of mental health parity laws in promoting equitable access to care, reducing stigma, and improving health outcomes. Studies demonstrate that when mental health benefits are aligned with physical health benefits, patients are more likely to seek help early, leading to better prognosis and cost savings for the healthcare system (Bachhuber et al., 2018). Moreover, evidence suggests that stricter enforcement of parity laws correlates with increased coverage for mental health services and reduced disparities, particularly among marginalized populations (McGinty et al., 2019). These findings underscore the need to enhance enforcement and accountability in implementing mental health parity policies to address ongoing inequities. Therefore, the evidence advocates for policy improvements that reinforce mental health parity laws, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and effective healthcare system.

References

• Bachhuber, M. A., et al. (2018). US mental health parity law implementation: Impact on health care utilization and expenditures. Psychiatric Services, 69(7), 787-794.
• McGinty, E. E., et al. (2019). Mental health parity and healthcare disparities: A review. Health Affairs, 38(6), 1020-1027.
• Congress.gov. (2016). Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (Public Law No: 110-343). https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/1424
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Strategies for implementing mental health policies. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth
• Sacristán, J., & Dilla, T. D. (2015). No big data without small data: Learning health care systems begin and end with the individual patient. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 21(6), 1014–1017.
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• Tummers, L., & Bekkers, V. (2014). Policy implementation, street-level bureaucracy, and the importance of discretion. Public Management Review, 16(4), 527–547.
• American Nurses Association (ANA). (n.d.). Advocacy. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Step by step: Evaluating violence and injury prevention policies. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention