Feb 23, 2024 NURS 6051 Legislation Grid and Testimony Advocacy Statement
NURS 6051 Legislation Grid and Testimony Advocacy Statement
NURS 6051 Legislation Grid and Testimony Advocacy Statement
Nurses and other healthcare providers encounter situations that motivate them to advocate for patients and ensure that effective policies exist to safeguard them; especially in reducing the cost of healthcare (Milstead & Short, 2019). Prescription drugs remain a concern for many individuals, especially those with chronic and long term conditions like diabetes (Laureate Education, 2018). The purpose of this assignment is to review a proposed bill or law that seeks to address the issue of the cost of prescription drugs.
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Health-related Bill NameEnd Price Gouging for Medications Act Bill NumberH.R. 2829DescriptionThe bill was introduced in House by Representative Peter Welch from Vermont on April 22 2021. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set the maximum cost or price of prescription drugs based on different federal programs (Congress.GOV, 2021). The bill seeks to mandate HHS to establish reference prices and ensure that the uninsured individuals and their families and those with private health insurance have access to the drugs at reasonable cost or prices.Federal or State?FederalLegislative IntentThe legislative intent of the bill is to amend the price gouging for Medications Act, and ensure that individuals who require medications can access them fast and at affordable price. The bill focuses on ensuring that prescription drugs are priced fairly, especially for individuals with chronic and long-term health conditions. The bill advances that retail prices of certain covered medications under known federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid should not cost beyond established reference prices. The bill will ensure that the HHS sets better prices that allow patients and their families to have lifesaving medicines as prescribed by their physicians and healthcare teams (Congress.GOV, 2021). The proposals of the bill apply to all patients, irrespective of their health insurance status. This implies that creating stabilization would allow Americans to enjoy the same prices of prescribed drugs like their peers in other developed economies like Canada and Germany among other members. Target PopulationThe bill targets all Americans and individuals using healthcare services. The bill also targets big Pharma’s monopoly power and ensure that reasonable prices exist to allow Americans, especially those with chronic conditions, purchase the much-needed medicines for their conditions.General Notes/Comments The introduction of the bill is essential to ensuring that more Americans can afford the cost of prescription drugs that remains prohibitive for many that require them. The bill is essential in helping the federal government deal with the current healthcare crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Opioid epidemic. The bill will ensure that federal government ends the monopoly enjoyed by Big Pharma who dictate prices, making it hard for many Americans to lack access to critical care despite their conditions. The bill will enhance monitoring of prices to ensure that consumers do not have to pay more for same drugs in different states and counties across the country. The bill will ensure that the cost of drug spending reduces on programs like Medicare (Merkley, 2021). For instance, the Medicare Advisory Payment Commission (MedPAC) notes that drug spending continues to grow in the program as it increased by over 25% between 2013 and 2018 attributed mainly to higher prices and launches of novel drugs and not a rise in the number of filled prescriptions. The implication is that no patient or individual or family of a loved one should be left out or left alone to suffer and even die because of higher prices of prescription drugs.
Part 2: Legislative Testimony/ Advocacy Statement
The need to regulate and control prescription drugs’ prices is essential given the increased demand for healthcare, especially as the nation battles health crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. Prescription drugs ensure that patients can manage their conditions and ensuring that more Americans can afford the cost of care is important for the nation’s wellbeing. Big pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture drugs at costly prices which makes it impossible for many to access (Milstead & Short, 2019). Some of these drugs may find their way into the market, albeit used as opiates and not for medical purposes.
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As an advanced nurse practitioner, advocating for reduction in the cost of healthcare, including access to medicines, is critical to improving the quality of care and reducing its costs, especially for low-income individuals and households without medical or health insurance coverage (O’Rourke et al., 2018). Having this bill will help many American families that cannot access medications yet they require them to remain alive.
Opposition to this legislative proposal may not be informed by current research and the need to reduce the cost of healthcare in the country. The opioid crisis is partly due to use of prescriptive drugs that are given to individuals, even those who do not have prescriptions. The implication is that this bill will regulate the prices of medicines and help address contributing factors to the opioid crisis.
Conclusion
Improving access to and quality of care is a fundamental part of the nurse advocacy process. As healthcare providers, nurses interact with patients and encounter a host of events that implore them to take actions. The bill to control the prices of prescription drugs is timely and will enhance quality care, particularly to the critically and chronically ill patients.
References
Congress.GOV. (2021). H.R.2829 – End Price Gouging for Medications Act.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2829/all-actions
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide
(6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
O’Rourke, N. C., Crawford, S. L., Morris, N. S., & Pulcini, J. (2017). Political
efficacy and participation of nurse practitioners. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, 18(3), 135–148. doi:10.1177/1527154417728514
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Policy Process [Video file].
Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018b). Introduction to Health Policy and Law
with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Merkley, J. (2021). As White House Prepares Health Care Push, Merkley, Welch
Introduce Bill to End Prescription Drugs Price Gouging, Help Ensure Americans Can Get the Medicines They Need. https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/as-white-house-prepares-health-care-push-merkley-welch-introduce-bill-to-end-prescription-drugs-price-gouging-help-ensure-americans-can-get-the-medicines-they-need-2021
Maternal healthcare is one of the determinants of the quality, safety and efficiency of health in a state. The US is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is therefore expected to have the lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the world. However, statistics show that the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the US are significantly high. Consequently, this paper explores a proposed policy that aims at reducing the current rates and trends in maternal mortality and morbidity in the USA.
Health-related Bill NameRecognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring MothersBill NumberH.Res.539DescriptionMaternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue affecting the United States of America. The statistics presented in the bill shows that despite being a developed nation, America has the highest rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. The statistics also show that the risk for maternal mortality and morbidity is significantly elevated among women from ethnic minority groups when compared to the American natives. Women also experience challenges in their maternal care such as mistreatment that degrade their self-identity and autonomy. Based on the above maternal health-related issues, the Recognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring Mothers Act was proposed for implementation. The act seeks to address the issue by focusing on a number of aspects related to maternal health. Firstly, it seeks to raise the awareness of the public about maternal morbidity, mortality and the existence of disparities in maternal health-related outcomes. The bill also seeks to encourage states, Federal Government, territories, local communications and healthcare organizations among other stakeholders to take interventions that reduce the risk and rate of adverse maternal health outcomes as well as improve maternal safety. The other aims of the act include addressing and eliminating disparities in maternal health outcomes, ensuring the provision of equitable and respectively maternal care, honoring mothers who have died due to pregnancy-related complications, and supporting the collection of data on maternal morbidity and mortality. It also supports the need for further investment efforts to enhance maternal health and health outcomes as well as eliminate disparities in maternal healthcare. Federal or State?FederalLegislative IntentThe legislative intent of the act is to recognize the seriousness of maternal morbidity and mortality issues in the US. The act also seeks to raise the awareness of the public and other stakeholders on the need to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Further, the act aims at ensuring the disparities in outcomes of maternal health are eliminated. Lastly, it aims at ensuring that mothers and pregnant women receive respectful care that meets their health needs.Proponents/ OpponentsProponents: They include Reps. Underwood Lauren, Kelly Robin, Spanberger Abigail Davis, Wexton Jennifer, and Adams Alma. Opponents: none Target PopulationThe primary beneficiaries of the proposed bill are pregnant women and mothers. It also includes women from ethnic minorities. The secondary target population includes healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities. Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. General Notes/CommentsThe proposed bill is a crucial bill that should be adopted in the US. The need for the bill is attributed to the high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the USA. Its implementation would therefore support the provision of care that addresses the needs of pregnant women and mothers from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Advocacy Statement
Maternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue in the US despite it being a developed nation (Collier & Molina, 2019; Joseph et al., 2021). For example, statistics show that 60% of the maternal mortalities reported in the US are preventable. In addition, the risk of women of ethnic minority groups such as African American and American Indians dying from pregnancy related complications is three times that of the White women. Women also experience different forms of mistreatment, as they receive their needed maternal healthcare (Morton et al., 2019). Therefore, the proposed bill should be adopted in the USA to address the identified issues. The bill will increase the maternal health outcomes as well as the quality of care mothers and pregnant women receive (Congress.gov, 2021). Through the bill, the USA will rank among the world’s leading nations with lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates. I will address the opponents in my position by presenting facts above the severity of the issue of maternal mortalities and morbidities in the US. I will also provide the socioeconomic implications of maternal mortalities and morbidities to the state. For example, I will explore the cost implications of the issue to the American economy and families.
Conclusion
The US currently has a high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. Significant disparities exist in maternal health outcomes due to ethnicity of the mothers and pregnant women. The proposed bill is important in ensuring equity in maternal healthcare and adoption of best practices to reduce and prevent maternal mortalities and morbidities. Therefore, it should be implemented to promote public health.
References
Collier, A. Y., & Molina, R. L. (2019). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and Solutions. NeoReviews, 20(10), e561–e574. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.20-10-e561
Morton, C. H., VanOtterloo, L. R., Seacrist, M. J., & Main, E. K. (2019). Translating Maternal Mortality Review Into Quality Improvement Opportunities in Response to Pregnancy-Related Deaths in California. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 48(3), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.03.003
Joseph, K. S., Boutin, A., Lisonkova, S., Muraca, G. M., Razaz, N., John, S., … & Schisterman, E. (2021). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Recent Trends, Current Status, and Future Considerations. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 137(5), 763. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004361
Congress.gov. (2021, July 19). Text – H.Res.539 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Recognizing the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing mortality and morbidity among all women, and honoring mothers. (2021/2022) [Legislation]. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/539/text
Regardless of geographical location, race, culture, and other factors, all populations deserve quality, timely, and affordable health. Besides, health care providers and stakeholders should devise interventions for health promotion and the protection of vulnerable communities. Health care policies are instrumental in health promotion since they outline guidelines for benefitting patients, communities, and health care providers (Wolstenholme & McKelvie, 2019). As a result, Congress and other law-making bodies formulate health promotion bills to advance health in the United States. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a recently-proposed health-related bill and an advocacy statement supporting its legislation
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Health-related Bill NameEnd Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 Bill NumberH.R. 8654 (Congress.gov, 2022).DescriptionEnd Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 underlines that the United States foreign assistance program has an obligation to end global tuberculosis (TB) pandemic through multifaceted interventions, including actions that support TB diagnosis and treatment among all adults and children and prevent new infections (Congress.gov, 2022; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). The bill also outlines the objectives and goals of TB-related policy, such as appropriate funding of comprehensive person-centered programs, capacity building among populations where the TB burden is high, and direct support to at-risk and impoverished populations.Federal or State?FederalLegislative IntentThe bill’s intent is to prevent, cure, and treat tuberculosis globally. Besides, the bill ensures that at-risk populations are identified and get appropriate support.Proponents/ OpponentsProponents: Representative Ami Bera (Congress.gov, 2022).Opponents: no opponent has been notedTarget PopulationAll adults and children with all forms of Tuberculosis and at-risk populations in the United States (Congress.gov, 2022; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022).Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)The bill is in the committees stage (House- Foreign Affairs) General Notes/CommentsThe bill focuses on a critical population health matter that deserves maximum attention from individuals, communities, health care providers, and governments. Generally, optimal health outcomes can only be achieved by protecting populations from infections, supporting health promotion programs, and identifying vulnerable populations. Since the bill will be instrumental in ending the TB pandemic and reducing health care costs, quick implementation is crucial. The federal government should also ensure that the United States foreign assistance program has adequate funding to achieve the health care goals outlined in the bill.
Part 2: Legislative Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Healthy populations are critical for a nation’s productivity and progressive economic well-being. The End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 will be instrumental to people’s health and well-being and should be quickly implemented. It will be crucial to health and well-being since it promotes preventive health, which helps to reduce deaths, disability, and health inequities (Franklin & Sleet, 2018). Besides, the bill applies a global approach to achieve internal health outcomes since it will advance measures for protecting Americans from foreign TB infections. Such an approach will further help the nation to achieve Healthy People 2030 goals.
TB rates vary with populations’ characteristics. Social determinants of income affect the legislation of the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 since the variance in TB rates necessitates intervention programs specific to a population’s needs. Health research demonstrates a close link between TB and poverty since TB infections are high in low-income areas (Abou Jaoude et al., 2022). People living in low-income areas are likely to live in poorly ventilated and overcrowded conditions that are ideal for the spreading of TB bacteria. The rates of malnutrition and diseases such as HIV/AIDS are also high in low-income areas and increase TB resistance (Balinda et al., 2019). Such income-related outcomes necessitate adjustments in intervention measures since a universal approach cannot be used to promote health in populations with varying needs, vulnerabilities, and cultural practices.
Opponents should understand the implications of TB on populations, health care spending, and the progressive economic well-being of the nation. The best way to address them is through research and health statistics demonstrating the link between TB and adverse health outcomes. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) reported that TB is the leading infectious disease in the world and claims approximately 1.5 million lives annually. As a result, multifaceted health promotion programs are vital. Abou Jaoude et al. (2022) stated that Stop TB Partnerships and health promotion programs have helped to reduce TB spending. Similar measures underlined in the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 should be intensified to protect general and vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
Health care bills advance health through more funding, advocacy, and the protection of special populations, among other strategies. Implementing the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 will be instrumental in attaining healthy and productive populations. As a result, quick implementation of the bill is essential and more support from legislators is needed as well. The government should also supplement such interventions with other health promotion programs, particularly in vulnerable communities where TB rates are high.
References
Abou Jaoude, G. J., Baena, I. G., Nguhiu, P., Siroka, A., Palmer, T., Goscé, L., … & Haghparast-Bidgoli, H. (2022). National tuberculosis spending efficiency and its associated factors in 121 low-income and middle-income countries, 2010–19: a data envelopment and stochastic frontier analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 10(5), e649-e660. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(22)00085-7
Balinda, I. G., Sugrue, D. D., & Ivers, L. C. (2019). More than malnutrition: a review of the relationship between food insecurity and tuberculosis. Open forum infectious diseases, 6(4), ofz102. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofz102
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Tuberculosis. https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/newsroom/topics/tb/index.html
Congress.gov. (2022). H.R. 8654– End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8654
Franklin, R. C., & Sleet, D. A. (2018). Injury prevention and health promotion: A global perspective. Health Promotion Journal of Australia: Official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 29(2), 113–116. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.191
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). U.S. global health legislation tracker. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/fact-sheet/u-s-global-health-legislation-tracker/
Wolstenholme, E., & McKelvie, D. (2019).The dynamics of care: Understanding people flows in health and social care. Springer.
It is interesting that ACA increased the funding of community-based public health and prevention programs by supporting increased research and tracking of key health determinants, significantly reducing disparities in health insurance coverage. Thus, repealing or replacing ACA has been challenging for most politicians because their constituents benefit from specific provisions. They understand that eliminating ACA would leave millions without coverage (including their constituents) and raise deductibles and premiums for most Americans (Davalon, 2022).
Therefore, I believe politicians must have a viable replacement plan that would work better before replacing ACA. The Act has significantly reduced prescription drug costs and eliminated co-pays for preventive services (Milstead & Short, 2019). Despite these positive transformations introduced by ACA, most Americans still oppose it, even though they benefit from some of its features or provisions. Therefore, politicians must listen to diverse public opinion, consider the benefits of ACA, and evaluate the drawbacks before voting to replace or repeal it.
Legislation Grid Template
Nurses experience events and situations that motivate them to assume the advocacy role in hopes of influencing policies, regulations, and laws related to healthcare and care provision. To do so, they have to enter into the less familiar political and policy making spheres to demonstrate their interests by evaluating proposed bills and their overall effects on the target health population, the nursing professional and the healthcare industry. The essence of this assignment is to review a selected health-related bill that has been proposed in Congress and complete the Legislation Grid Template to determine its intent, proponents and opponents, the target population and issue an advocacy statement or testimony.
Health-related Bill Name Mobile Health Record Act of 2019 Bill Number H.R.1390
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