MN507-2: Explain U.S. healthcare policy structures and the role of the nursing leader as a change agent at the public policy table.
Directions
You will do your work on this template for the Unit 3 Assignment:
- Each member of the group must identify their state legislators’ addresses and phone numbers.
- The group will decide on a policy issue that needs to be addressed. This policy issue will be used in the unit 3, 6, & 9 Assignments.
- The group will write a letter to one of their legislators outlining what the issue is and why it is important. The letter will address:
- The current policy structure.
- The need for the change.
- The suggested change.
- Cost implications if the change is implemented.
- The role the nurse as a change agent will take at the policy table.
Template is attached: VERY IMPORTANT MY STATE IS: FLORIDA.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The healthcare policy structures in the United States are complex and ever-changing. It is essential for nursing leaders to understand these structures and their role as change agents at the public policy table. In this assignment, students will identify their state legislators’ addresses and phone numbers and write a letter to one of their legislators addressing a policy issue that needs to be addressed.
Answer:
The healthcare policy structures in the United States involve multiple layers of government, including federal, state, and local levels. The federal government sets overarching policies and regulations that apply to all states, while state governments have the power to create their own policies within certain limits. Local governments also play a role in healthcare policy implementation, particularly in areas such as public health and emergency services.
As nursing leaders, it is important to understand these policy structures and how they affect healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Nurses can serve as change agents at the public policy table by advocating for policies that improve patient care and access to healthcare services. This involves engaging with legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to identify areas of need and propose potential solutions.
When writing a letter to a legislator, it is important to address the current policy structure and explain why a change is needed. Nursing leaders can speak to their firsthand experiences providing care to patients and the challenges they face within the current system. It is also important to propose a specific change and outline the potential cost implications of implementing this change.
Lastly, nursing leaders must articulate the role they can play as change agents in the policymaking process. This may involve providing expert testimony, engaging with other stakeholders to build support for a policy change, and working with legislators and policymakers to develop and implement new policies that improve patient outcomes.
