Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare - Coursework Example

Policy and Politics in Nursing and Healthcare Introduction United States health care system continues to face many momentous challenges. Since the movement away from the heavy-handed managed care, expenditures have risen again quickly and the number of uninsured people has followed suit. New medical technologies are in great demand. Though America is good at measuring quality, most of the assessments of quality in health care and nursing show a high error rate. Socio economic factors such as education, poverty and lifestyle and the quality of health care systems are the two broad faces that have contributed to low and poor health in United States. It has been health care that has stirred national discourse and focused national attention for the past few years. During the intense debate over the health reform proposals that resulted in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010, we had a graphic illustration of how our health care and nursing system is made up of various organizations and groups that often cannot agree on how the system should be structured and strategies implemented. Scholars and researchers have tried to identify that quality health care is not accessible to all. This paper delineates health care policy in availing quality health care to all people. Implementing strategies to improve access to health care will benefit not only Missouri Citizens but also United States as a whole. House Bill 1467 “confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care” was introduced by the legislators to increase access to health care for all. Andersen, Rice and Kominski (2007) assert that ethnic and racial disparities are the major factors that promote inequality in access to health care. Some authors argue that racial disparities in medical treatment are rooted indiscrimination on the part of providers and health care systems, while others degree and posit that there is insufficient empirical evidence to support that the due to conscious or subconscious discrimination. This bill had been introduced and discussed in three meetings where no firm conclusions on its implementation were arrived at. A visit was made to the Missouri state capital to meet with policy makers and legislators on July 12th 2012. This was before the session came to a close. The meeting had been arranged by our tutor through mail. State Policymakers Involved in Policy Issue Our tutor’s efforts assisted this class project by contacting legislators; Erick Borch, John Williams and Eve Reeves, to be interviewed before the end of the legislative session. By interacting with the legislators, they gave their contact information such as their email addresses, cell phone numbers and postal addresses. Since associating is an imperative part in engagement processes, our tutor’s letter and follow up booked us an appointment with the legislators later the afternoon. Two of the interviews took place in the offices and at a lounge in the parliament. Conceptual Framework When commencing the interview, the theme of each question focused on the overall responsibilities of nurses and their imperative roles in United States health care system. This set the platform for the policy priority issue of improving access of health care to all. From the interview, it was apparent that the nurses have a significant role to play in improving access of health care to all. From the talk with the legislators, it was noted that some nurses do not want to work in the rural areas and that some of the nurses may discriminate against some of the races and communities when offering health care to patients. In reference to Andersen, Rice and Kominski (2007), advancing accessibility to health care is best attained by centering on the background and people. Background focuses on the situations and the circumstances surrounding health care accessibility. People are the key players in the contextual situations and circumstances. Health care access is a multifaceted phenomenon. It is surrounded by potential, realized and equitable access. Potential access is characterized by a possibility that the people within a given region may access health care if availed. A realized access is when the people within a given locality can access health care. In this regard, it means that the individuals in the area have adequate personnel and nurses. In history, United States experienced developing trends and strategies. Health care accessibility has been considered the primary objective of policy change. This dilemma can be solved by increasing the number of health care personnel or increasing the number of beds in the hospitals. Equitable access is delineated according to which determinants of realized access are dominant in predicting utilization. Historically, equitable access to health care by all has been delineated to occur when the demographic aspects are fully satisfied and considered in delivery of health care. Improving access to health care can be significantly eased by cohort of access strategies which emphasize the significance of background as well as people’s attributes in policies to improve access. For this reason, the nurses have the responsibility of availing health care to all. As according to Andersen, Rice and Kominski (2007), deploying more nurses to rural areas and increasing their incentives is a favorable recommendation to improve access to health care. In addition, Andersen, Rice and Kominski (2007) recommend that the nurses have a role to play in integrating all into the health care system. Inclusiveness is imperative in improving access to all. Increasing the number of nurses may help solve accessibility to health care. Andersen, Rice and Kominski (2007) denote that increasing the number of nurses may increase the number of nurses offering health care services to patients. Conveying the Policy Priority Message In passing on this policy priority message successfully, it was essential to consider all the facets of communication. The dress code was entirely professional, with close attention being paid to all communications. In interviewing, attentiveness is an imperative aspect which shows that one is interested in the topics. Since the legislators are always busy and time conscious, we were time conscious and had to respect their availability. In this regard, flip chart and power point presentations were not feasible and typed notes offered a reference point to guide the interview. Feedback from the Policymaker While going into the interview, it was anticipated that the legislators would call for further action to assist in availing health care to all. Upon visiting the Houser of representatives, it was apparent that there were many requests which had been tabled in the houses and would be impossible to request additional time for the house to debate on the issue. Alternatively, the legislators recommended that they would work hand in hand with the local government and the next house members to ensure that the policies were in place. Significance of an effective visit and follow up to Nursing Researchers have noted that advocacy is an essential principle in nursing practices. Needless to say, nurses are guardian angels who guard the patients. For this reason, a successful visit and follow up on nursing policies was of great benefit to the patients and the nation. Nurses have a responsibility in availing health care to all without any form of discrimination. Conclusion It is imperative to devise and come up with a way of meeting up with a legislator after coming up with effective policies. Lack of accessibility to health care is a major cause of deaths and increased effects of chronic diseases. Apprehending and reviewing the issues surrounding accessibility are the primary aspects of development. Not only will nurses will be affected by this policy, but also the citizens at large. References Andersen, R. M., Rice, T. H., & Kominski, G. F. (2007). Changing the U.S Health care system: Key Issues in Health Services Policy and Management. (3rd ed.). John Willey & Sons. Read More