Outcome 4
Like everyone else in the class, I too found the Policy and Ethics course to be the most informative and helpful in helping me to achieve outcome 4. This outcome involves being able to demonstrate basic knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments including local, state, national, and global health trends. I have to admit that before taking this course, I did not fully understand or care to know much about how policies are formed and did not know anything about the current health policies in place. One assignment that really helped with this was our first assignment that had us read and discuss chapter one in our text involving policymaking. This assignment opened my eyes as to how policies are made.
The next assignment that helped me to achieve this outcome was the chapter 3 assignment that asked us to read and explain the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. When I actually sat down to read what this act involved, I became interested in reading other acts and policies. I enjoy being informed and educated on these policies.
Another assignment that I feel helped me to achieve this goal was the Economics of Health Care discussion that we had. It involved us reading chapter 10 in our text that explained four big factors that are driving the growth in health care expenditures. This assignment helped me to understand the financial burden being placed on the United States. Two major factors were an aging population and chronic disease. I feel that we are spending more money trying to treat chronic diseases than we are to try to prevent them from occurring in the first place. After learning more on this topic, I have been more conscious of educating friends, family, and my patients on the importance of disease prevention and plan to continue to do this in my future practice.
Overall, this course has opened my eyes to the importance of being involved in decisions regarding healthcare policy and finance and health trends. This course sparked an interest for me that I did not know that I had. I enjoy keeping up-to-date on this important subject. I will apply this to my future nursing practice by using the knowledge that I have gained and being involved in decisions regarding healthcare polity and finance.
Health Policy Chapter 1 Assignment
After reading the assigned materials for this assignment, I have come to realize what the term policy is and what policymaking entails. Each reference that I read contained different information about the policymaking process that helped me to piece together the big picture of how policies are made. They were however all similar by noting that that in order for a policy to become official, it must be approved through legislation.
As quoted by Estes, policy is defined as the “authoritative decisions made in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government…intended to direct or influence the actions, behaviors, or decisions of others” (2013, p. 2). The online link http://www.house.gov/content/learn/legislative_process/ given for this assignment mainly focused on specific detailed information of the many steps taken to pass a law. Before reading this, I really had no idea how many steps must be taken to actually get a law passed. In the article written by Longest Jr, the process of public policymaking consists of three phases: policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy modification. “The formulation phase (making the decisions that lead to public laws) and the implementation phase (taking actions and making additional decisions necessary to implement public laws) are bridged by the formal enactment of legislation, which shifts the cycle from its formulation to implementation phase” (Estes, Chapman, Dodd, Hollister, & Harrington, 2013). I liked reading this article and I like that it includes a policy modification, which allows for possible changes to be made in order to keep it up to date and to perfect the policy.
Overall, I feel that I have a better understanding and have greatly increased my knowledge about policymaking through this assignment.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 3: Healthcare Reform Today and for the Future
I chose to discuss question six: explain the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. To be honest, I had heard of the act but did not know much about it before doing this assignment. By 2014, most people in America will be required to have health insurance. “Exceptions will be given for financial hardship and religious objections; and to American Indians; people who have been uninsured for less than three months; those for whom the lowest cost health plan exceeds 8% of income; and if the individual has income below the tax filing threshold” (Estes, Chapman, Dodd, Hollister & Harrington, 2013). Another key provision is the expansion of Medicaid. The thing that stuck out the most to me was that it will now allow adults that do not have any dependents to enroll. The third key provision is the creation of American Health Benefit Exchanges by each state that will allow individuals and small business owners to buy insurance plans at an affordable price. Another big thing that stuck out to me was that insurances will not be allowed to deny coverage to those that have pre existing conditions and that young adults will be allowed to be covered under their parents insurance until they are 26. Also, Employers of large businesses will be required to automatically enroll employees that do not sign up for a plan.
I am glad that I was able to learn more about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I know that once this law is completely in effect, there will be drastic changes seen in the healthcare industry. I did not realize at the time, but a few years ago I was able to go back on my parents insurance because of this act until I turned 26. I think that it contains a lot of positive changes that will help those who do not have access to insurance.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Economics of Health Care Discussion
Chapter ten mentions four big factors that are driving the growth in health care expenditures: technology and prescription drugs, chronic disease, aging of the population, and administrative costs. Because there is now a longer life span than in prior decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease. “This has placed tremendous demands on the healthcare system, particularly an increased need for treatment of ongoing illnesses and long-term care services such as nursing homes; it is estimated that health care costs for chronic disease treatment account for over 75% of national health expenditures” (Estes, 2013).
I was shocked to read that over 75% of healthcare expenditure goes towards the treatment of chronic diseases. With baby boomers aging, there will soon be an even greater need for long-term care services and treatment of chronic diseases. We need to figure out a way to make health care more affordable and decrease the money spent on health care. One big solution that I can think of is to promote and focus on preventative care and early treatment of diseases to avoid an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and further healthcare costs to treat these illnesses.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
The next assignment that helped me to achieve this outcome was the chapter 3 assignment that asked us to read and explain the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. When I actually sat down to read what this act involved, I became interested in reading other acts and policies. I enjoy being informed and educated on these policies.
Another assignment that I feel helped me to achieve this goal was the Economics of Health Care discussion that we had. It involved us reading chapter 10 in our text that explained four big factors that are driving the growth in health care expenditures. This assignment helped me to understand the financial burden being placed on the United States. Two major factors were an aging population and chronic disease. I feel that we are spending more money trying to treat chronic diseases than we are to try to prevent them from occurring in the first place. After learning more on this topic, I have been more conscious of educating friends, family, and my patients on the importance of disease prevention and plan to continue to do this in my future practice.
Overall, this course has opened my eyes to the importance of being involved in decisions regarding healthcare policy and finance and health trends. This course sparked an interest for me that I did not know that I had. I enjoy keeping up-to-date on this important subject. I will apply this to my future nursing practice by using the knowledge that I have gained and being involved in decisions regarding healthcare polity and finance.
Health Policy Chapter 1 Assignment
After reading the assigned materials for this assignment, I have come to realize what the term policy is and what policymaking entails. Each reference that I read contained different information about the policymaking process that helped me to piece together the big picture of how policies are made. They were however all similar by noting that that in order for a policy to become official, it must be approved through legislation.
As quoted by Estes, policy is defined as the “authoritative decisions made in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government…intended to direct or influence the actions, behaviors, or decisions of others” (2013, p. 2). The online link http://www.house.gov/content/learn/legislative_process/ given for this assignment mainly focused on specific detailed information of the many steps taken to pass a law. Before reading this, I really had no idea how many steps must be taken to actually get a law passed. In the article written by Longest Jr, the process of public policymaking consists of three phases: policy formulation, policy implementation, and policy modification. “The formulation phase (making the decisions that lead to public laws) and the implementation phase (taking actions and making additional decisions necessary to implement public laws) are bridged by the formal enactment of legislation, which shifts the cycle from its formulation to implementation phase” (Estes, Chapman, Dodd, Hollister, & Harrington, 2013). I liked reading this article and I like that it includes a policy modification, which allows for possible changes to be made in order to keep it up to date and to perfect the policy.
Overall, I feel that I have a better understanding and have greatly increased my knowledge about policymaking through this assignment.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 3: Healthcare Reform Today and for the Future
I chose to discuss question six: explain the key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. To be honest, I had heard of the act but did not know much about it before doing this assignment. By 2014, most people in America will be required to have health insurance. “Exceptions will be given for financial hardship and religious objections; and to American Indians; people who have been uninsured for less than three months; those for whom the lowest cost health plan exceeds 8% of income; and if the individual has income below the tax filing threshold” (Estes, Chapman, Dodd, Hollister & Harrington, 2013). Another key provision is the expansion of Medicaid. The thing that stuck out the most to me was that it will now allow adults that do not have any dependents to enroll. The third key provision is the creation of American Health Benefit Exchanges by each state that will allow individuals and small business owners to buy insurance plans at an affordable price. Another big thing that stuck out to me was that insurances will not be allowed to deny coverage to those that have pre existing conditions and that young adults will be allowed to be covered under their parents insurance until they are 26. Also, Employers of large businesses will be required to automatically enroll employees that do not sign up for a plan.
I am glad that I was able to learn more about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. I know that once this law is completely in effect, there will be drastic changes seen in the healthcare industry. I did not realize at the time, but a few years ago I was able to go back on my parents insurance because of this act until I turned 26. I think that it contains a lot of positive changes that will help those who do not have access to insurance.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Economics of Health Care Discussion
Chapter ten mentions four big factors that are driving the growth in health care expenditures: technology and prescription drugs, chronic disease, aging of the population, and administrative costs. Because there is now a longer life span than in prior decades, there has been an increase in the prevalence of chronic disease. “This has placed tremendous demands on the healthcare system, particularly an increased need for treatment of ongoing illnesses and long-term care services such as nursing homes; it is estimated that health care costs for chronic disease treatment account for over 75% of national health expenditures” (Estes, 2013).
I was shocked to read that over 75% of healthcare expenditure goes towards the treatment of chronic diseases. With baby boomers aging, there will soon be an even greater need for long-term care services and treatment of chronic diseases. We need to figure out a way to make health care more affordable and decrease the money spent on health care. One big solution that I can think of is to promote and focus on preventative care and early treatment of diseases to avoid an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases and further healthcare costs to treat these illnesses.
References
Estes, C. L., Chapman, S.A., Dodd, C., Hollister, B., & Harrington, C. (2013). Health policy crisis and reform (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.