Political Affiliations and ACA Case Study Essay Assignment Help
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Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in the statement from page 27 of Feldstein (2006) affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses such as the one portrayed by the Feldstein statement may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid).RESPOND to classmates Post
Analyzing costs and benefits is a crucial component have to consider whenever there is a call for new legislation. The cost-benefit analysis examines alternatives that are cost-effective but would be most beneficial (Center for Effective Government, 2015). The analysis of cost-benefit is used to help secure votes instead of stepping outside the box and taking a risk that may be required to reinvent the wheel in some cases and maximize current best practices in others.The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010 in hopes to increase access to quality and affordable health insurance by expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income individuals and providing subsidies for people below 400% of poverty (KFF.org, 2018). Since the ACA did not live up to the expectations, this ignited the efforts to repeal/replace the ACA with political support as one of its major motivators. As Feldstein (2006) described in his passage, legislators allow their own political agendas to drive or process of decision-making instead of prioritizing potential or foreseeable societal benefits.
As nurses, we must advocate for our patients by promoting policies that are in the best interest of all patients. By being knowledgeable of the legislative process, nurses have the power to bring critical healthcare issues at the forefront of the political arena and hopefully influence legislators to make the necessary changes to improve our nation’s healthcare delivery (Nursingworld.org, n.d.). The next big step since the 1960s with the expansion of Medicare and Medicaid will be universal health insurance (Laureate Education, 2018). Achieving such a lofty goal in which we are assured that every person from birth to end of life have the peace of mind to a guarantee of quality health care will require the bi-partisan politics is set aside and decisions and votes are made based upon a patient-centric approach versus what a constituent’s demographic profile demands. The more we can separate medical care from politics, the more objective developing policies will become and the better the potential for an end product.
References:Center for Effective Government. (2015). Cost-Benefit Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.foreffectivegov.org/node/3470
Feldstein, P. (2006). The politics of health legislation: An economic perspective (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
KFF Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation. (2019). Key Facts about the Uninsured Population. Retrieved June 12, 2019, from http://www.kff.org/uninsured/fact-sheet/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Contemporary Issues in Public Health Policy with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Nursing advocacy. (n.d.). Retrieved June 12, 2019, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/