NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health

NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health

Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the voters views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected.   

    

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Cost-benefit analysis plays a critical role in the decisions that legislators make, particularly about framing and passing policies into legislation. That is because there are limited resources and each policy that is passed means that another potential policy is overlooked. While on the surface it may appear that the cost-benefit analysis looks at the impacts on the electorate, the reality is that each decision that a legislator makes is all about representing that majority interests of the electorate and seeking reelection. In order to be reelected, the electorate must perceive the legislator as truly representing them in developing legislation as concerns tackling the issues that affect them, acting as their voice in presenting their opinions, and always watching out for what is good for the electorate (Milstead & Short, 2019) NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

This understanding has implications for efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as any of these efforts must consider the interests of the electorate and implications for reelection. If ACA is to be replaced with an alternative legislation that matches the interests of the electorate, then the legislator is likely to support that change as this would improve reelection efforts by acting as a platform for garnering their support. On the other hand, if there is no better alternative then the legislator is unlikely to support repeal/replace efforts as this would gain voter apathy and even hostility (Shi & Stevens, 2021). It is important to note that ACA remains at the heart of health care delivery and access in the USA with any changes likely to affect millions of Americans. As such, legislators who are seeking reelection are unlikely to interfere with ACA unless they can present an alternative legislation that maintains the gains made with ACA or improves on them (Johnson, 2020)NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health.

References

Johnson, S. (2020). The Quadruple Aim in Nursing and Healthcare: Improving Care, Lowering Costs, Serving Populations, Elevating Work Life. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.

Milstead, J. & Short, N. (2019). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Shi, L., & Stevens, G. D. (2021). Vulnerable Populations in the United States (3rd ed.). Jossey Bass/John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society. Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape. To Prepare: Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation. By Day 3 of Week 3 Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the voters views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria NURS 6050 Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health