NURS 6050 Week 4: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

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.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.

Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

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.

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.

By Day 7 of Week 4

Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.

submission information

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NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Diverse challenges, including cost, coverage, insurance, and accessibility, have been faced by the healthcare sector in the country. In response to these challenges and changes in the healthcare sector, legislators and other stakeholders have developed diverse bills to help improve the overall healthcare system. One of these bills focused on addressing cost and care accessibility is the Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 (S.352) (Warner, 2021). In summary, once passed and enacted, the bill seeks to increase care accessibility and affordability and reduce disparity in care accessibility, especially for underserved individuals and communities. This paper provides a detailed review and examination of the bill and testimony for its advocacy NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

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Part I: Legislation Grid

Health-related Bill Name
The Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 (S.352)

Bill Number
S.352

Description
It provides an amendment to the ACA policy, changes the healthcare marketplace, encourages individual states to expand their Medicaid programs, and establishes public health insurance options.

Federal or State?
Federal

Legislative Intent
The selected bill is focused on amending the ACA law to improve healthcare accessibility and address costs. Key facets identifiable with the bill include increasing the premium assistance for patients/consumers, introducing a public health insurance plan or option, and expanding on the current Medicaid (Ercia, 2021). NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Proponents/ Opponents
Proponents: the major supporters of the bill include the senators from the Democratic side and other healthcare advocacy groups. Their reason to support it is that it will reduce cost of healthcare, expand coverage, and ensure more equitable access to healthcare for the American general public (McMorrow & Kenney, 2021).

Opponents: The major opponents include the Republicans and private insurance players, who are concerned with a possible increase in public options of healthcare coverage as well as concerns over changes in the private insurance market.

Target Population
The bill’s implementation primarily targets middle- and low-income individuals, families, and communities, as well as the population in states with Medicaid that have not yet expanded. Overall, according to Ercia (2021), it focuses on improving the accessibility of healthcare in underserved areas. NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)
The bill is yet to be enacted as it is currently under review by the Senate committee. NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

General Notes/Comments

With an increasing focus on accessibility and affordability, passing the bill will be key in improving these facets, which have been key aspects defining the goal of universal health in the country.

Part II: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

To the members of the Senate, concerning the ‘Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 (S.352),’ I advocate for the bill as this legislation will be a critical foundation for addressing the increasing disparities in the healthcare sector, more so in terms of accessibility, coverage, and cost. By expanding the premium assistance and introducing a public health insurance option, this bill’s overall impact would be lowering healthcare costs for many Americans (McMorrow & Kenney, 2021). Additionally, the bill would improve accessibility to care services for underserved Americans who deserve it most.

The bill’s major and positive impact is most expected among the rural settings, families, and individuals defined by low income. Moreover, it will benefit those in states that have yet to expand Medicaid. According to Milstead (2022), the populations that benefit from the bill are often defined by multiple barriers hindering their access to insurance and quality care. The bill would be a key tool or remedy to address these systematic inequalities, making healthcare accessible and affordable NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.

Regarding social determinants of health, i.e. location, income, and education, they play indispensable roles in how the legislations impact individuals. For example, individuals with low incomes are forced to pay for basic needs rather than paying for healthcare services. Enacting this bill will mean that such individuals can access healthcare services despite their low income (Kominski et al., 2019).

While the bill is facing some opponents because it would destabilize the insurance sector, these concerns are valid. However, they do not outweigh the expected benefits of the bill on the healthcare sector, including affordable care that is more accessible to underserved populations. On the other hand, the bill has factored in the integrity of the private insurance sector, ensuring fair competition in the insurance market between private players and public alternatives. By ensuring the bill is presented with transparency, affordability, and fair competition, the bill will strike the need to balance private and public healthcare players and interests. NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

In conclusion, the ‘Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 (S.352)’ bill offers an indispensable opportunity to reform and improve healthcare affordability and access in the US. It is critical to support the bill, which further empowers the ACA law towards a more equitable healthcare system.

References

Ercia, A. (2021). The impact of the affordable care act on patient coverage and access to care: Perspectives from FQHC administrators in Arizona, California and Texas. BioMed Central (BMC) Health Services Research , 21 (1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06961-9

Kominski, G. F., Nonzee, N. J., & Sorensen, A. (2019). The Affordable Care Act’s Impacts on Access to Insurance and Health Care for Low-Income Populations. Annual review of public health , 38 , 489–505. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044555

McMorrow, S., & Kenney, G. M. (2021). How did the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion Affect Coverage and Access to Care for Low-Income Parents Who Were Eligible for Medicaid Before the Law Was Passed?. Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing , 58 , 469580211050213. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580211050213

Milstead, J. A. (2022). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Warner, M. R. (2021, February 22). S.352 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Health Care Improvement Act of 2021 . Www.congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/352 NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric

NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric

Criteria
Ratings
Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Federal and State LegislationPart 1: Legislation GridBased on the health- related bill 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? NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

35 to > 31.0 pts Excellent The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health- related bill. …The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. …The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill. …The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health- related bill. NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

31 to > 27.0 pts Good The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. …The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. …The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. …The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

27 to > 24.0 pts Fair The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. …The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. …The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. …The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

24 to > 0 pts Poor Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. …Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing. …Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. …The description of the current status of the health- related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

35 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement• 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.• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.

40 to > 35.0 pts Excellent Testimony clearly, accurately, and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill…. Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of the social determinant affecting the topic, and how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples.

35 to > 31.0 pts Good Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill. …Response provides an accurate explanation of the social determinant affecting the topic, and how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example.

31 to > 27.0 pts Fair Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate. …Explanation of how to address the opponents and social determinant for the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate.

27 to > 0 pts Poor Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing. …Explanation of how to address the opponents and social determinant for the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

40 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome References NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

10 to > 8.0 pts Excellent Response includes 3 or more course resources and 2 or more outside sources.

8 to > 7.0 pts Good Response includes 2-3 course resources and 2 outside sources.

7 to > 6.0 pts Fair Response includes fewer than 2 course resources and/or fewer than 2 outside resources.

6 to > 0 pts Poor Response includes 2 or fewer resources.

10 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and OrganizationParagraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas.Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.

5 to > 4.0 pts Excellent Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity…. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.

4 to > 3.0 pts Good Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. …Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive

3 to > 2.0 pts Fair Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. …Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.

2 to > 0 pts Poor Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. …Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is incomplete or missing. 5 pts This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting: English Writing StandardsCorrect grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation. NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement 5 to > 4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.

4 to > 3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

3 to > 2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

2 to > 0 pts Poor Contains many (≥5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, indentations, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.

5 to > 4.0 pts Excellent Uses correct APA format with no errors.

4 to > 3.0 pts Good Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.

3 to > 2.0 pts Fair Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.

2 to > 0 pts Poor Contains many (≥5) APA format errors.

5 pts

Total Points: 100 NURS-6050 Week 4: Assignment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement