Legislative Initiative Plan from Senator Anitere Flores - Assignment Example

Legislative Practicum: Senator Anitere Flores  Jeannette Pilonieta Barry Introduction In the contemporary society, there is the need for the Health Sector ned to implement public policies that are effective in dealing social determinants of health (SDH). This is critical in minimizing inequalities in health care. This paper envisions the adoption of a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Framework and Public Health Policy to advance the health of individuals and all residents in Florida besides assisting the elected official to address the SDH. The progress of this structure is an important step for meaningful health care reforms. The adoption of this framework would illustrate a significant shifting in emphasizing from an illness based health care system to a better-based system that focuses on prevention of chronic and illness disease by addressing the social determinants of health. Section One Senator Flores Initiative on Health, SDOH Framework Approach and Public Health Policy Senator Flores Initiative on Health The choice of the elected official was based on the qualifications and the ability to handle the required task. The selection was based on the official’s understanding of social determinants of health in general. The reason for choosing this official was attributed to the senate role in the legislative chamber besides being a part of the U.S. Congress. Choosing the official provided assurance of handling the issue effectively. For instant, it was only through the chosen senator that funds could be allocated to tobacco-related disease research in Florida. It is expected the funds would offer support to an intervention program of smoking for those who fall into the category of low income, for instance, women from Spain. The funds were meant to assist women who had just given birth to avoid smoking. The volunteer duties were mainly to work with the official in an effort to solve the problem. The first role was to make the problem known to the public and the senate in particular. It was also the volunteers’ role to initiate volunteering activities that would implicate the degree of the situation by encouraging those in need or faced by the problem by addressing what results to such problems (Canadian Medical Association , 2013). It was also the role of the volunteers to excavate the problem particularly to the senator. The senator was meant to address the problem based on the existing healthy polices, which entails the plans, decision, as well as actions undertaken to reach the intended health care goal. In this regard, problems in the Public Health Policy was considered as a major policy issue that could be addressed effectively by the selected official (Killian, 2015). The senator was seen as a good advocate for public health interventions in improving the health as well as the quality of life of people by advocating the prevention and treatment of diseases as well as other common physical and mental health problems. Through the right funding mechanisms, surveillance of various medical cases constituting the basis of the problem, alongside health indicators, as well as the elevation of healthy behaviors would be possible, it could be possible to know what makes people sick (Canadian Medical Association , 2013). The senator was found to be a key personnel in addressing the health issue. First, she is a member of the U.S Senate, which is a legislative chamber in the U.S bicameral legislature. His ability to handle the health problem is attributed to the exclusive power held by senators such as consenting to treaties, confirming appointments of federal judges, regulatory officers, cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, military officers, and various other federal officials. This means that she is influential enough to facilitate a quick solution to the issue. She also has the authority over the state funds, which means she can easily influence the funding of the project meant to solve the health policy issue (Agreeing to Disagree: Agenda Content and Senate Partisanship, 198, 2006). The problem related to the issue is mainly the use of use of tobacco which has been considered as having the possibility of leading to vision loss and other health problems among members of the public such as lung cancer. While smoking has been a major problem, there could be a certain way to curb or prevent the problem. The use of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Prevention Act, which aims to protect the public and generate a healthier future to the community (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015 ). Besides, the use of certain drugs could be initiated to assist those who might be negatively impacted. In this regard, skilled nursing centers could be structured to focus on the victims of cancer and other tobacco smoking related problems. Other than this, failure of addressing the public policy effectively has constituted to other health problems such as stroke, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other public health problems. Funds have been allocated by the government in vein since the problem is not addressed from a more localized perspective. Other funds and grants have been distributed to tackle issues of cancer, and to facilitate diversity of cancer projects (Florida Health Care Association, 2015). The population of focus in this case is the young adult population whose lifestyles could lead to future health problems. Some member of the population are also facing the health problems such as cancer; mostly attributed to their habits. This population has little to no power at all when it comes to dealing with their health problems. They are financially unstable, mostly depending on their families or they are in the course of building their economic foundations. They can therefore do little to solve the problems facing them in the society. The problem therefore has a major social, cultural and economic implication because the most affected group cannot do anything without assistance. The same group is very vulnerable due to peer influence and the prevailing economic difficulties among its members. Further in trying to resolve the issue, the legislature is advocating for regulatory changes that provides better flexibility to care for skilled nursing centers’ for different populations other than the focus population. Skilled nursing center residents need round the clock complex medical care. Skilled nursing centers also provides post-acute care, offering an efficient and effective rehabilitation environment for patients who requires occupational, physical, language therapy or speech so they can recover and go back to the society (Florida Health Care Association, 2015) . The proposed public health policy would solve the problem by helping create social conditions that would ensure good health for the entire population. Equity in health is the core and explicit goal of the public health policy, which would also be achieved. The policy will alter the historical patterns of social stratification that produces inequities in health. At the same time, the policy focuses on the intermediate level steps to address factors that particularly undermine the health of disadvantaged groups (World Health Organization, 2005). Nevertheless, there are possible barriers to the policy success. The participation and influence in society could make it difficult for it to apply to some areas. There could also be problems associated with poor economic and social security, lack of favorable and secured environment during the stages of childhood and adolescence in which young people would be nurtured. This policy is currently tackling social issues affecting health. The proposal is building on earlier practices of healthy public policy and inter-sectorial collaboration, but it is focusing on the action in the policy sphere in a more systematic manner instead of applying to single issues on health. The senator plays a major role in developing legislations for promoting public health. Section Two Strategic Action Plan Public Health Policy Integration and all-inclusive approach: multiple sectorial discussions, breaking down of barriers between ministries and jurisdictions, supporting health public policy decisions. Also, participation of community in meaningful manner, reforms on health care, very close collaboration with the private sector and non-government organizations is significant. In addition, promotion of Health and Population Health approach need to target the whole population, and majorly is required to focus attention on groups that are vulnerable. Also, integrating health promotion objectives and goals of building the capacities of people and society at large that enables them to raise control over and to improve their health, making healthy choices and developing healthy and supportive environment (World Health Organization, 2005). Raising awareness among the citizens is significant on the influences of the Social Determinants of Health. This can be achieved by launching a social marketing campaign about the Social Determinants of Health in order to coincide with adopting the framework. Collaboration across sectors and jurisdictions Developing and strengthen genuine partnerships across sectors and government jurisdictions, developing an inclusive/collaborative plan and processes for addressing Social Determinants of Health; external facilitator of the collaborative processes and plan development. Adoption of healthy public policies that address health and equity in all areas of policy would facilitate consultations among the public on the role of government in a debt, especially the role of promoting the public good (World Health Organization, 2005). Additionally, there is need to examine in depth the healthy public policies that have been adopted elsewhere. Table 1: Summary of the Action Plan Action Person Responsible Date Developing of effective surveillance systems that are charged with generation and distribution of information. Health Professionals’ (Senator Anitere Flores to champion) After passing of the Bill into law- 30th April 2015. Integration and adoption of all-inclusive approach: Multiple sectorial discussions, breaking down of barriers between ministries and jurisdictions, supporting health public policy decisions. Ministries, Community, Private sector and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) -Dr. Suite 2 months Prior-15th April,2015. Fostering of political good will would keep on nurturing a wider comprehension of the main influences of the Social Determinants of Health Politicians (Senator Anitere Flores) Ongoing and after passing of the Bill-30th February, 2015 and 30th April 2015. Raising awareness among the citizens is significant on the influences of the Social Determinants of Health. This can be achieved bylaunching a social marketing campaign about theSocial Determinants of Health Media Houses( Maria Chamoro to coordinate) Immediately before and after passing of the bill. 1st May, 2015. Source: Author, 2015 Section Three Nursing Role/ Implication The enactment of the policy reforms would raise the chances for those in this profession in making of both care system and individuals systems as healthy as they can be. Passing of information among the patients as well as navigation across the vast medical landscape have been existing in America. Transitional care Nurses and Nurse Navigators would step up to key a role of coordinating the policy and framework. They participate in health care provision and are mandated collectively for their enrollees care. They can also divide among themselves of saves coming from effective health system. However, this would be integral to their professional values, skills, and knowledge base. It would enable them to earn the trust of Americans, and will use that trust, along with their health promotion expertise, to communicate with patients about the best preventative measures, as well as effective means of accessing required assistance as they navigate United States health structure. Nurses working as a team would provide a contribution to assessment and inputs in the implementation of the policy and framework. They interact with patients in their daily activities, and this shall enable them to pass information as well as creating awareness. Proper understanding of their roles as the nurses would provide protection and contribute to collaboration among various stakeholders as well. Summary of the Legislative Practicum This public policy approach and SDOH framework need to address the social factors that influence health, but that resides out of the policy and health system other than health. It should build on earlier practices of healthy public policy and inter-sectoral collaboration, but it need to focus on the action in the policy sphere in a more systematic manner instead of applying to single issues on health. The public health policy and SDOH framework is expected to alter the historical patterns of social stratification that had produced inequities in health. At the same time, the policy should focus on the intermediate level steps to address factors that particularly undermine the health of disadvantaged groups. Participation and influence in society, economic and social security, favorable and secured environment would promote healthier working life, safe and healthy environment and products. The objectives relate to structural factors while the others are lifestyle choices that a person can be the influential factor, but where the social environment plays a significant function. Conclusion The paper has attempted to explore how the elected official can address appropriately SDOH that are the key influencers on population health, through adopting SDOH Framework. The public health policy would also play a significant role in addressing the challenges as well. Although challenges are inevitable, the policy and the framework can be attained if the strategies proposed are adhered to properly. References Canadian Medical Association . (2013). Health care in Canada: What makes us sick? Canadian Medical Association Town Hall Report | July 2013, 1-14. Agreeing to Disagree: Agenda Content and Senate Partisanship, 198. (2006, June 16). Retrieved from Ingentaconnect.com: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/uoi/lsq/2008/00000033/00000002/art00003 Florida Health Care Association.(2015). Retrieved from: http://www.fhca.org/advocacy/issue_briefs, accessed 19th February, 2015. Killian, J. H. (2015, February). Constitution of the United States. Retrieved from senate.gov: http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm#a2_sec2 LEE, F. E. (2011, June 16). Agreeing to Disagree: Agenda Content and Senate Partisanship. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 33(2), 199-212. Retrieved from Ingentaconnect.com: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/uoi/lsq/2008/00000033/00000002/art00003 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2015 , February 21). Overview of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act: Consumer Fact Sheet. Retrieved from U.S. Food and Drug Administration: http://www.fda.gov/tobaccoproducts/guidancecomplianceregulatoryinformation/ucm2461 29.htm World Health Organization (2005). Action on the Social Determinants of Health: Learning from previous Experiences. Background paper prepared for the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Read More