Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis NUR 550

Policy Description and its Implications on Health Delivery

The burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes is becoming enormous therefore necessitating the development of policies and effective approaches to address them at the local, state and federal levels. The cost of diabetes management and treatment was estimated to be $245 billion in 2012 and it is postulated that it may continue to increase (Herman & Cefalu, 2015). Implementation of the Affordable Care Act policy meant to improve public health by increasing the access to health services by the population. The policy was developed in 2010 with the purpose of improving access to care, enhance quality of care delivery, reduce medical costs and provide new consumer protection. The policy resulted in the expansion of the Medicaid program. The design in this step was to fill gaps in the Medicaid eligibility and this means that the number of people benefiting from the program would significantly increase.

The cost projection for the ACA was $940 billion for the period between 2010 and 2019. In this plan, the health budget deficit would be reduced by $143 billion (Blewett, Planalp, & Alarcon, 2018). The insurance plan would reduce the cost of medication and make preventive healthcare affordable to the American populations (Herman & Cefalu, 2015). Importantly, patients suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes require regular healthcare check-up and monitoring. With this program, the majority of the populations are able to access medical services as expected and this leads to improved prognosis. From the cost-effective aspect, the policy is financially sound.

The level of access to healthcare services depends on various factors including the socio-economic status. The ACA works to bridge the existing gaps between the rich and poor patients presenting with diabetes in terms of access to healthcare services. From an ethical perspective, the policy promotes equity. Healthcare professionals including the nurses are expected to serve the patients with equity and fairness. On the other hand, financial limitations may hinder the realization of such a goal and perspective in nursing practice. However, with the implementation of this policy, the disparity in health access is addressed. With the expansion of the Medicaid, the states would get 100% federal funding for the first three years after which, it would be reduced to 90% (Herman & Cefalu, 2015). Furthermore, various strategies have been incorporated under the policy to ensure that healthcare providers deliver the most beneficial and high-quality services to the patients.

The Scope of the Policy

Initially, the states administered the Medicaid programs as guided by the federal policies; though, they were mandated to determine the eligibility, provider payment levels, and the benefits. The income levels for the eligibility were strict compared to the provisions in the new policy. Furthermore, no special considerations were made for patients with disabilities, elderly without dependent children and the non-pregnant women (Schembri & Ghaddar, 2018). Therefore, the policy was developed with collaboration between the state and the federal government. However, most of the regulations would be done by the federal government. For example, the states that failed to expand Medicaid to accommodate more people would lose federal funding. A larger portion of the healthcare funding would come from the federal government under the new policy.

The design and scope of the policy are well developed to meet the intended goal. The insurance agencies monitor the activities of the healthcare providers to ensure that they are giving their best in terms of quality service delivery. Various parameters such as the readmission within 30 days, number of days patient stay in the hospital and nosocomial infection rates among others have been used in monitoring the performance of the healthcare facilities (Hilliard, Liebenberg, Liebenberg, & Ruhland, 2018). Therefore, all institutions are obliged to comply with the provisions by offering high-quality care services to the patients and in the process improve their outcomes and minimize their spending. With the implementation of the new policy, the number of patients with diabetes covered in the Medicaid program increased significantly. This indicates that diabetes care would improve and the financial barriers limiting their access and utilization of the healthcare services reduced. On the other hand, despite the introduction of the policy, the number of people going for health screening has remained significantly low (American Diabetes Association, 2016). As a result, the measures to improved health outcomes for diabetes patients are thwarted because the number of undiagnosed diabetes patients is likely to remain high.

The Advocacy Strategies to Promote Access to the Benefits of the Policy

The realization of the benefits of the policy requires the provision of education to the public. Majority of the populations fail to go for health screening and testing because of the lack of knowledge on the importance of such an exercise. Provision of education is an important strategy for ensuring primary, secondary and tertiary health promotion (Konchak, Moran, O’Brien, Kandula, & Ackermann, 2016). First, educated populations are likely to embrace quality lifestyles that will limit the incidences of diabetes cases. Secondly, the education will aim at encouraging testing and screening behaviors among the populations to enhance the identification and early management of the diabetes conditions. Studies have shown that people from low-income regions and are covered with the Medicaid programs are more likely to be diagnosed with chronic illnesses and their conditions treated in time thus improving their prognosis.

From a Christian, professional and moral perspective, advanced registered nurses ought to advocate for and promote health as well as prevent diseases among the populations. By engaging in translational research, evidence-based practice measures are developed and customized to address specific health needs. Diseases are considered as the dissonance between an individual and their surroundings that affect the body, mind, and spirit. Holistic and biomedical approaches can be integrated to guide health promotion activities among nursing professionals. From the biblical perspective, health is a vital component of human life and that is why only whole animals would be offered for sacrifice in the Old Testament (McDermott-Levy, Leffers & Mayaka, 2018).

From the ethical and professional perspective, the nurses ought to comply with the ethical principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence among others. The ethical principles require that advanced registered nurse practitioners to engage all possible interventions in ensuring the most beneficial outcomes to the patients (Bastable, 2017). Health promotion activities aimed at promoting public health by minimizing diseases and suffering among the people. In the process, healthcare providers must understand the specific health needs of the defined populations. For example, the diabetes patients are in great need of the self-care skills which included proper adherence to the medication and observing an appropriate lifestyle.

Conclusion

            Therefore, the ACA has played an integral role in ensuring that diabetics in the United States receive high quality care. The scope and design of the policy is such that both the federal and state governments participate in the implementation of the ACA. The entire process has influenced the role of Advanced Practice Nurses as they work to promote it and advocate for its implementation.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2016). 1. Strategies for improving care. Diabetes Care, 39(Supplement 1), S6-S12.

Bastable, S. B. (2017). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Blewett, L. A., Planalp, C., & Alarcon, G. (2018). Affordable Care Act Impact in Kentucky: Increasing Access, Reducing Disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 108(7), 924–929. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304413

Herman, W. H., & Cefalu, W. T. (2015). Health policy and diabetes care: is it time to put politics aside?. Diabetes Care, 38(5), 743-745.

Hilliard, J. I., Liebenberg, A. P., Liebenberg, I. A., & Ruhland, J. (2018). The Market Impact of the Supreme Court Decision Regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Evidence from the Health Insurance Industry. Journal of Insurance Issues, 41(2), 135–167

Konchak, J. N., Moran, M. R., O’Brien, M. J., Kandula, N. R., & Ackermann, R. T. (2016). The state of diabetes prevention policy in the USA following the affordable care act. Current diabetes reports, 16(6), 55.

McDermott-Levy, R., Leffers, J., & Mayaka, J. (2018). Ethical Principles and Guidelines of Global Health Nursing Practice. Nursing Outlook, 66(5), 473-481.

Schembri, S., & Ghaddar, S. (2018). The Affordable Care Act, the Medicaid Coverage Gap, and Hispanic Consumers: A Phenomenology of Obamacare. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 52(1), 138–165. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12146

Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Assignment 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 perceptive one must consider when implementing it?

In the United States, newly diagnosed cancer cases in 2019 are estimated to be 1,762, 450, while cancer related deaths expected, are 606, 880 (Siegel, Miller & Jemal, 2019).  It is therefore essential to come up with a definitive course of care. Cancer treatment is overwhelming and it is not only protracted, intense

and toxic but also linked to serious long-term complications. Additionally, the cancer care system is fragmented hampering the development of comprehensive treatment plans and coordinate care. A policy that addresses this issue is the Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act which has been recently introduced in Congress. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the act is set to enhance cost-effectiveness and healthcare equity for population, relate the act to either state, federal or global health policies and discuss advocacy strategies to ensure that the target population access the benefits of the policy.

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Cancer Care Planning and Communications Act (CCPCA)

The CCPCA was reintroduced in Congress by Rep. DeSaulnier who is a cancer survivor and Rep. Carter a Pharmacist. The two understand that care planning for cancer patients and their families provide emotional and physical benefits. The Act argues that most of cancer patients are left to handle cancer diagnosis complexities on their own because they lack a written plan that outlines their diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and expected symptoms (NCCS, 2019). The absence of a written plan leaves the patients in the dark since they cannot understand the outcomes of their care. The Act is backed up by research since coordinated cancer care is reported to enhance patient outcomes, reduce the use of healthcare resources and increase patient satisfaction.

1. 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?
2. 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.

Course Code Class Code Assignment Title Total Points
NUR-550 NUR-550-O101 Benchmark – Population Health Policy Analysis 160.0

Criteria Percentage Unsatisfactory (0.00%) Less than Satisfactory (80.00%) Satisfactory (88.00%) Good (92.00%) Excellent (100.00%)
Content 70.0%

Integration of Appropriate State, Federal, and Global Health Policies and Goals Related to Equitable Health Care for Populations (4.2) 20.0% A discussion of appropriate state, federal, and global health policies and goals related to equitable health care for populations is not included. A discussion of appropriate state, federal, and global health policies and goals related to equitable health care for populations is present, but it lacks detail or is incomplete. A discussion of appropriate state, federal, and global health policies and goals related to equitable health care for populations is present. A discussion of appropriate state, federal, and global health policies and goals related to equitable health care for populations is clearly provided and well developed. A comprehensive discussion of appropriate state, federal, and global health policies and goals related to equitable health care for populations is thoroughly developed with supporting details. Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Assignment

Financially Sound Health Care Policy That Incorporates the Nursing Perspective and Relevant Ethical, Legal, and Political Factors (2.1) 20.0% A discussion of financially sound health care policy that incorporates the nursing perspective and relevant ethical, legal, and political factors is not included. A discussion of financially sound health care policy that incorporates the nursing perspective and relevant ethical, legal, and political factors is present, but it lacks detail or is incomplete. A discussion of financially sound health care policy that incorporates the nursing perspective and relevant ethical, legal, and political factors is present. A discussion of financially sound health care policy that incorporates the nursing perspective and relevant ethical, legal, and political factors is clearly provided and well developed. A comprehensive discussion of financially sound health care policy that incorporates the nursing perspective and relevant ethical, legal, and political factors is thoroughly developed with supporting details.

Advocacy Strategies for Improving Access, Quality, and Cost-Effective Health Care for Diverse Populations (2.2) 10.0% A discussion of advocacy strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effective health care for diverse populations is not included. A discussion of advocacy strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effective health care for diverse populations is present, but it lacks detail or is incomplete. A discussion of advocacy strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effective health care for diverse populations is present. A discussion of advocacy strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effective health care for diverse populations is clearly provided and well developed. A comprehensive discussion of advocacy strategies for improving access, quality, and cost-effective health care for diverse populations is thoroughly developed with supporting details.

The Professional and Moral Obligation of Advanced Registered Nurses to Respect Human Dignity and Advance the Common Good Through Working to Promote Health and Prevent Disease Among Diverse Populations from a Christian Perspective (4.3) 15.0% A discussion of the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective is not included. A discussion of the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective is present, but it lacks detail or is incomplete. A discussion of the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective is present. A discussion of the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective is clearly provided and well developed. A comprehensive discussion of the professional and moral obligation of advanced registered nurses to respect human dignity and advance the common good through working to promote health and prevent disease among diverse populations from a Christian perspective is thoroughly developed with supporting details. Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Assignment

Required Sources 5.0% Sources are not included. Number of required sources is only partially met. Number of required sources is met, but sources are outdated or inappropriate. Number of required sources is met. Sources are current, but not all sources are appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content. Number of required resources is met. Sources are current, and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content.

Organization and Effectiveness 20.0%
Thesis Development and Purpose 7.0% Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim. Thesis is insufficiently developed or vague. Purpose is not clear. Thesis is apparent and appropriate to purpose. Thesis is clear and forecasts the development of the paper. Thesis is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose. Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

Argument Logic and Construction 8.0% Statement of purpose is not justified by the conclusion. The conclusion does not support the claim made. Argument is incoherent and uses noncredible sources. Sufficient justification of claims is lacking. Argument lacks consistent unity. There are obvious flaws in the logic. Some sources have questionable credibility. Argument is orderly, but may have a few inconsistencies. The argument presents minimal justification of claims. Argument logically, but not thoroughly, supports the purpose. Sources used are credible. Introduction and conclusion bracket the thesis. Argument shows logical progressions. Techniques of argumentation are evident. There is a smooth progression of claims from introduction to conclusion. Most sources are authoritative. Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use) 5.0% Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice or sentence construction is used. Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register) or word choice are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied. Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but they are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are employed. Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence structures and figures of speech. Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

Format 10.0%
Paper Format (Use of appropriate style for the major and assignment) 5.0% Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly. Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent. Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present. Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style. All format elements are correct. Benchmark Population Health Policy Analysis Assignment

Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style) 5.0% Sources are not documented. Documentation of sources is inconsistent or incorrect, as appropriate to assignment and style, with numerous formatting errors. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, although some formatting errors may be present. Sources are documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is mostly correct. Sources are completely and correctly documented, as appropriate to assignment and style, and format is free of error.