- One contemporary health care issue in government is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its potential repeal or modification. The social impact of repealing the ACA would result in millions of Americans losing health care coverage, which could lead to negative health outcomes and financial strain on families. The ethical impact of this issue relates to the fundamental question of whether health care is a basic human right or a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. The economic impact of the ACA repeal or modification would be significant as the cost of health care would shift to individuals and states, potentially leading to increased health care costs and a decrease in health care coverage. Nurses can play a significant role in advocating for health care policies that prioritize the needs of patients and the public.
- Two economic issues that both the federal and state governments will need to address due to the increase in the number of baby boomers reaching retirement age are Social Security and Medicare funding. As more individuals become eligible for these programs, the strain on the financial resources of these programs will increase. This could result in reduced benefits for retirees or an increase in taxes to fund the programs.
- Nurses can affect public policy in various appointed positions such as serving on health policy advisory committees, serving as health care lobbyists, and serving in leadership positions in professional nursing organizations. For example, a nurse may serve on a health policy advisory committee and provide recommendations and guidance to policymakers on nursing issues.
- A nursing practice issue is the need for increased staffing ratios in hospitals. The steps I would take to influence a local politician to draft a bill in favor of this issue would include identifying the politician who has the authority to introduce the bill, building a coalition of supporters, gathering evidence to support the need for increased staffing ratios, and meeting with the politician to discuss the issue and advocate for the bill.
- None. I used the search terms “nursing staffing ratios” and “nursing workforce” and did not find any relevant bills related to the nursing practice issue of increased staffing ratios.
- If I were to need the support of one of my legislators specific to a health policy of interest to me, I would choose Senator Smith as my legislative contact. Senator Smith is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is responsible for developing health care policy. Additionally, Senator Smith has shown a commitment to supporting policies that prioritize the needs of patients and the public.
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