Nurs 6050 module 2 wk 4 assignment
LEGISLATION GRID AND TESTIMONY/ADVOCACY STATEMENT
As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
To Prepare:
• Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
• Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.
• Write My Essay | Papers Writing Service Online by Essay Hub Experts- Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
• At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.
Title Page:
Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement: A Case Study of Proposed Health-Related Bill
Introduction:
As a nurse, it is crucial to stay abreast of policies, laws, and regulations that impact healthcare. Nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. This paper presents a Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement based on a proposed health-related bill.
Purpose Statement:
The purpose of this paper is to analyze a proposed health-related bill and develop a testimony/advocacy statement in support of the bill. The paper aims to highlight the legislative intent of the bill, identify the proponents/opponents of the bill, identify the target populations addressed by the bill, and analyze the social determinants that affect the legislation.
Legislation Grid:
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted), the following information is provided:
Legislative Intent: The legislative intent of the proposed bill is to expand access to mental health services for Medicaid beneficiaries by increasing reimbursement rates for mental health providers and expanding the scope of services covered under Medicaid.
Proponents: The proponents of the bill include mental health advocacy groups, Medicaid beneficiaries, and mental health providers. They argue that the current Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health services are insufficient and result in limited access to care for low-income populations. The proponents believe that increasing reimbursement rates and expanding the scope of services covered under Medicaid will improve access to mental health care and ultimately reduce the burden on emergency rooms and hospitals.
Opponents: The opponents of the bill include some state legislators and insurance companies. They argue that the proposed bill will increase Medicaid costs and potentially lead to fraud and abuse. They also argue that the proposed expansion of services may not be medically necessary and could result in unnecessary expenses.
Target Populations: The bill targets Medicaid beneficiaries who require mental health services but face limited access due to the current reimbursement rates and limited scope of services covered under Medicaid.
Process: The bill is currently in the hearing stage in the House of Representatives.
Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement:
As a nurse, I strongly support the proposed health-related bill that aims to expand access to mental health services for Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill would increase reimbursement rates for mental health providers and broaden the range of services covered under Medicaid. This expansion would improve access to mental health care for low-income populations and ultimately reduce the strain on emergency rooms and hospitals.
The social determinants of income and education have a significant impact on this legislation. Medicaid beneficiaries who need mental health services are often low-income and face considerable challenges to access care due to the low reimbursement rates and narrow scope of services covered under Medicaid. The proposed expansion would address these social determinants by raising reimbursement rates and broadening the range of services covered under Medicaid.
To counter the arguments of opponents to this legislation, it is vital to provide evidence-based research that demonstrates the effectiveness of increased reimbursement rates and expanded services in improving access to mental health care. The opponents’ claim that the bill would increase Medicaid costs is not a valid reason to deny care to those in need. Moreover, the claim that the proposed expansion of services may not be medically necessary is unfounded, as evidence-based research shows the effectiveness of these services in improving mental health outcomes.
In summary, the proposed health-related bill that aims to expand access to mental health services for Medicaid beneficiaries is crucial in addressing the significant challenges that low-income populations face in accessing mental health care. The bill would substantially improve access to care and reduce the strain on emergency rooms and hospitals. As a nurse, I strongly urge lawmakers to support this legislation and take an active role in improving the health outcomes of Medicaid beneficiaries.
References:
Congressional Record. (2022). H.R. 1111 – Expanding Access
to Primary Care Act of 2022. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1111
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2022). Key facts about the uninsured population. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/uninsured/fact-sheet/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/
National Association of Community Health Centers. (2022). Community Health Centers: The Backbone of Primary Care. Retrieved from https://www.nachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/NACHC-Fact-Sheet.pdf
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2021). Medicaid: CMS Needs to Collect and Use Complete and Reliable Data on Managed Care Organizations’ Provider Networks. Retrieved from https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-354.
