Module 1 Discussion & Module 2 Discussion: Advocacy

Posted: August 16th, 2024

Module 1 Discussion: Nursing & Health-Care-Policy

The History, Structure, and Process of Health-Care-Policy and Politics in Nursing and the Health Care Delivery Systems in the United States

Health-care-policy and politics play a crucial role in shaping the nursing profession and the health care delivery systems in the United States. Understanding the history, structure, and process of health-care-policy and politics is essential for nurses to navigate the complex health care landscape and advocate for their patients and profession. This paper will analyze the history, structure, and process of health-care-policy and politics in nursing and the health care delivery systems in the United States.

**History of Health-Care-Policy and Politics**

The history of health-care-policy and politics in the United States dates back to the early 20th century. The first major health care policy was the Social Security Act of 1935, which provided financial assistance to low-income individuals and families (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020). The 1960s saw the passage of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which expanded health care coverage to older adults and low-income individuals (CMS, 2022). The 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) was a significant milestone in health care policy, expanding health insurance coverage to millions of Americans (HHS, 2022).

**Structure of Health-Care-Policy and Politics**

The structure of health-care-policy and politics in the United States is complex and multifaceted. The federal government plays a significant role in shaping health care policy through laws and regulations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the primary agency responsible for implementing and enforcing health care policies (HHS, 2022). State governments also play a crucial role in shaping health care policy, particularly in areas such as Medicaid expansion and health insurance regulation (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2020).

**Process of Health-Care-Policy and Politics**

The process of health-care-policy and politics involves multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, health care providers, patients, and advocacy groups. The policy process typically begins with problem identification and agenda setting, followed by policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation (Longest, 2016). Nurses play a critical role in the policy process, particularly in areas such as patient advocacy and policy implementation (AAN, 2020).

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, understanding the history, structure, and process of health-care-policy and politics is essential for nurses to navigate the complex health care landscape and advocate for their patients and profession. The history of health-care-policy and politics in the United States is marked by significant milestones, including the passage of the Social Security Act, Medicare and Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. The structure of health-care-policy and politics is complex and multifaceted, involving multiple stakeholders and levels of government. The process of health-care-policy and politics involves problem identification, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

**References**

AAN (American Academy of Nursing). (2020). Policy and Advocacy. Retrieved from

CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). (2022). Medicare and Medicaid. Retrieved from

HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). (2022). About HHS. Retrieved from

Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). Medicaid: A Primer. Retrieved from

Longest, B. B. (2016). Health policymaking in the United States. Health Administration Press.

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Module 2 Discussion: Advocacy

Examples of Advocacy in Nursing Practice

Advocacy is a critical component of nursing practice, involving the promotion and protection of patients’ rights and interests. Nurses have a unique role in advocating for their patients, particularly in areas such as patient safety, quality of care, and access to health care services. This paper will discuss two examples of advocacy in nursing practice.

**Example 1: Patient Safety Advocacy**

One example of advocacy in nursing practice is patient safety advocacy. Nurses play a critical role in promoting patient safety, particularly in areas such as medication administration, fall prevention, and infection control (AHRQ, 2022). For instance, a nurse may identify a potential safety risk, such as a medication error, and advocate for changes to the medication administration process to prevent future errors. This may involve collaborating with other health care professionals, such as physicians and pharmacists, to develop and implement new policies and procedures.

**Example 2: Health Care Access Advocacy**

Another example of advocacy in nursing practice is health care access advocacy. Nurses may advocate for patients who face barriers to accessing health care services, such as lack of insurance or transportation (ANA, 2020). For instance, a nurse may work with community organizations to develop and implement programs that provide health care services to underserved populations. This may involve advocating for policy changes, such as Medicaid expansion, to increase access to health care services for low-income individuals and families.

**Conclusion**

In conclusion, advocacy is a critical component of nursing practice, involving the promotion and protection of patients’ rights and interests. Nurses have a unique role in advocating for their patients, particularly in areas such as patient safety and health care access. The two examples discussed in this paper illustrate the importance of advocacy in nursing practice and the impact it can have on patient outcomes and health care delivery.

**References**

AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). (2022). Patient Safety. Retrieved from

ANA (American Nurses Association). (2020). Advocacy. Retrieved from

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Module 1 Discussion
Nursing & Health-Care-Policy
Analyze the history, structure, and process of health-care-policy and politics in nursing and the health care delivery systems in the United States.
Submission Instructions:

• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
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Module 2 Discussion: Advocacy
What examples of advocacy do you see in your own nursing practice? List and discuss 2 examples.
Submission Instructions:
• Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.