The Importance of the Issue to Nursing - Assignment Example

Plan for a Legislative/Policymaking Visit Plan for a Legislative/Policymaking Visit Introduction This paper proposes and recommends a plan for the implementation of a legislative policy to increase access to the hospice and palliative care services. This is particularly intended to help reduce the current disparities regarding access to quality patient centered palliative and hospice care services in many parts of the United States especially at the local or regional levels where palliative services are relatively limited. In addition, the current high expenditures related to the provision of such services have also further contributed to the growing inequality in access to palliative and hospice care services. With regard to the past actions by others regarding my chosen policy issue, it is worth noting that a number of legislative actions have been previously undertaken with regard to my chosen policy issue. Key Strategies in the Plan There are a number of key strategies, messages as well as recommendations involved under in the current policy issue plan. Generally, the proposed policy will largely focus on increasing the number of palliative care workforce in the US local health facilities, investing in technologies related to the provision of palliative care services as well as improving service availability in order to ensure increased equitable access to optimal hospice and palliative care. Past Actions and the Importance of the Issue to Nursing In the past, a number of individuals, policy makers and organizations have sought to introduce policies that guarantee increased funding for palliative and hospice care services. For example, in the year 2008, the National Priorities Partnership identified improving palliative care as one of the top national policy priorities that should be addressed in order to improve the health care delivery to Americans particularly those with life threatening illnesses. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act of 2010 enacted into law many provisions related to improving access to quality palliative care through a number of ways including increased federal and state funding of the services. However, there is still a significant policy gap in the funding of palliative case services as evidenced by the current inequalities of such services (Longest, 2013). Policy Makers to Involved in my Chosen Policy Issue The main federal, state or local policy makers that I will involve in my chosen policy mainly include the local member of congress, local members of the healthcare regulatory organizations like the joint Commission as well as other leaders who have the ability to shape laws and regulations. Although I do not have the exact addresses and phone numbers of each of the policy makers, I intent to visit their local offices and make appointments to meet them or reach them through their immediate staff. So far one of the key policy makers who have shown significant interest in my proposed policy issue of is the local member of Congress. Plan for the Legislative Visit The proposed legislative visit will take place in the town office of the local member of Congress. Based on my preliminary plan, the visit will be made within the first week of the month of April, 2015. However, the exact time, date and location will be arranged after securing an appointment with the policy maker through his secretary and other relevant immediate staff. Message I will give to the Legislator The primary Message I would like to give to the legislator during the visit is that the implementation of a legislative policy that increases access and funding to the hospice and palliative care services is currently one of the most important national and local policy priorities that should be addressed by both the Federal and State governments in order to improve the health care delivery to Americans particularly those with life threatening illnesses. In my message, I will also present a compelling and passionate story that highlights some of the potential benefits of implementing my policy proposal some of which include: i. Improved quality of healthcare within the state whilst cutting down on health care expenditures in the face of the current high expenditures related to the provision of such services. ii. Better projection of patient needs and planning and assist the state in evading uncalled for emergency admissions to more expensive care environments like acute hospitals as well as improving service availability in order to ensure increased equitable access to optimal hospice and palliative care in the various US local health facilities. iii. The policy will also allow the integrated approach to provision of hospice and palliative care to every patient in every place, be it in a clinically feasible setting or a home setting. Consequently, a larger portion of the populace will be able to enjoy a coherent delivery of end of life healthcare services. On the other hand, my message will be supported with empirical research data from a number of databases, websites such as the American Nurses Association website and a host of other relevant recent publications. I’ll be appealing for and recommending for the introduction of a bill proposing for the implementation of a legislative policy to increase access to the hospice and palliative care services in the local state assembly. Finally, The Research data will be particularly presented in a simple, interesting, concise and easy to understand format to ensure that the contents of my proposed policy issue is clearly understood. Some of the presentation tools and materials I intend to use include Ms Power point presentation, overheads and flip charts. My expectation is that the legislator will be confirmed of the importance of the policy during my visit. Empirical Evidence Supporting my Approach My approach is to use a legislative visit as an opportunity to lobby and advocate for increased funding for increased funding for hospice and palliative care services. There is no doubt that this trend calls for a reasonable sustenance of the financial budget underlying the endeavor hence the need for increased funding (Fawcett and Russell, 2011). A number of researchers concur that legislative visit is one of the most effective approaches that can effectively be used by practitioners in the nursing industry to push for various policy issues by building relationships with their local policy makers. According to a research conducted by Longest (2013), making a legislative visit proved to be the most effective ways of nurses and other healthcare practitioners to make their case on a particular issue. Generally, despite their busy schedule, it is important for those in the nursing industry to visit policy makers and present their opinions on various policy issues affecting the industry and the Americans in general. Finally, similar policies have been implemented in many other developed countries with relative success. In the Ontario study cited in the sheet reveals that cancer-related deaths recorded from 2002 to 2005 were associated with patients visiting emergency departments during the final six months of life, with about 40% visiting the emergency with the last 14 days (CHPCA, 2012). Second, Canada-based families often food a quarter of the total palliative care cost because of costs that pertain to home-oriented services like personal care and nursing services. Conclusion In conclusion, a legislative visit is one of the most effective approaches that can effectively be used by practitioners in the nursing industry to push for various policy issues by building relationships with their local policy makers. During my planned legislative visit, I intend to present a compelling and passionate story that highlights some of the potential benefits of implementing my policy proposal and advocate for the implementation of a legislative policy that increases access and funding to the hospice and palliative care services. References CHPCA. (2012). Fact Sheet: Hospice Palliative Care in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. Fawcett, J., Russell, G. (2011). A conceptual model of nursing and health policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice 2,2, 108-116. Kelley A, Meier D. (2010). Palliative Care-A Shifting Paradigm. New England Journal of Medicine 363, 3, 781-782. Longest, B. (2013). Health policy making in the United States. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press. Meier, D. E. (2011). Increased access to palliative care and hospice services: opportunities to improve value in health care. Milbank Quarterly, 89(3), 343-380. Read More