As a healthcare professional, you may be called upon to provide expertise, guidance and/or opinions on healthcare matters as they are debated for inclusion into new policy. You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. For all of these reasons you should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news.
In this Assignment, you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas. You will also prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact on this issue of recent or proposed policy.
To Prepare:
- Review the agenda priorities of the last three U.S. presidential administrations.
- Select an issue related to healthcare that was addressed by each of the last three U.S. presidential administrations.
- Reflect on the focus of their respective agendas, including the allocation of financial resources for addressing the healthcare issue you selected.
- Consider how you would communicate the importance of a healthcare issue to a legislator/policymaker or a member of their staff for inclusion on an agenda.
The Assignment: (2- to 3-page Comparison Grid and 1-page Fact Sheet)
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid
Based on the presidential administrations you are comparing, complete the Agenda Comparison Grid. Be sure to address the following:
- Identify and provide a brief description of the healthcare issue you selected.
- Identify which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected.
- How does the healthcare issue get on the agenda and how does it stay there?
- Who was the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected?
Part 2: Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief
Based on your Agenda Comparison Grid for the healthcare issue you selected, develop a 1-page Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief that you could use to communicate with a policymaker/legislator or a member of their staff for this healthcare issue. Be sure to address the following:
- Summarize why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.
- Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues.
Agenda Comparison Grid Template
Use this document to complete the Module 1 Assessment Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact Sheets/Talking Points Brief.
Healthcare Issue
Description
Administration (President Name)
Describe the administrative agenda focus related to this issue
Allocation of financial and other resources to this issue
Notes on Administration’s approach to the issue
General Notes/Comments
Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected?
How does the healthcare issue get on the agenda and how does it stay there?
Who was the entrepreneur/champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a healthcare professional, it is important to analyze and understand the healthcare agendas of different presidential administrations. This allows us to gain insights into the priorities and approaches of each administration towards addressing healthcare issues. In this Assignment, we will compare the healthcare agendas of the last three U.S. presidential administrations and develop a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and its impact on recent or proposed policy.
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid
Healthcare Issue: Universal Healthcare Coverage
Administration (President Name): Barack Obama
Description: The healthcare issue of universal healthcare coverage aimed to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare. It aimed to address the issues of uninsured and underinsured individuals in the country.
Allocation of financial and other resources to this issue: The Obama administration sought to allocate significant financial resources towards expanding access to healthcare through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It included subsidies, Medicaid expansion, and tax credits to increase affordability and coverage.
Notes on Administration’s approach to the issue: The Obama administration focused on expanding healthcare coverage through the ACA, with an emphasis on reducing the number of uninsured individuals and improving healthcare quality and affordability.
General Notes/Comments: The Obama administration faced challenges in implementing the ACA, including legal battles and political opposition. However, it made significant progress in expanding healthcare coverage.
Administrative agency responsible: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
How does the healthcare issue get on the agenda and how does it stay there? The issue of universal healthcare coverage gained momentum through public demand, advocacy groups, and political will. It stayed on the agenda through continuous efforts by the administration, congressional support, and public engagement.
Entrepreneur/Champion/Sponsor: President Barack Obama was a champion of the healthcare issue, pushing for comprehensive healthcare reform during his presidency.
Part 2: Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief
Title: Ensuring Universal Healthcare Coverage: A Crucial Priority for America
Summary: Universal healthcare coverage is a vital issue that demands inclusion in the legislative agenda. Every American deserves access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare, and addressing this issue will improve the overall health and well-being of the nation.
Justification of the nurse’s role in agenda setting: Nurses play a pivotal role in agenda setting for healthcare issues as they are on the frontlines of patient care. Their expertise and experiences provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by patients and the healthcare system. Nurses advocate for policies that promote equitable access to healthcare and prioritize patient outcomes.
Conclusion:
Analyzing the healthcare agendas of different presidential administrations allows us to understand the priorities and approaches towards addressing healthcare issues. The fact sheet or talking points brief serves as a tool to effectively communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the role of nurses in the agenda setting process. By actively engaging in healthcare policy discussions, healthcare professionals can contribute to better healthcare outcomes and shape the future of healthcare in the nation.
