Discussion: Health Care Policy In this week’s media presentation, Dr. Trautman, Dr. Wakefield, and Ms. Coyle discuss how public policies initiated at the national or state level ultimately influence what occurs at the institutional and local level of nursing practice and health care delivery. Health care policy usually is developed to address health care cost, quality, or access, or a combination of the three. Due to the nature of their interaction with patients, nurses are well situated to be effective, knowledgeable advocates for their patients. In this week’s Discussion, you will examine how current policies impact how you as a nurse provide health care. You will then select an issue of interest and determine how you could advocate for policy in that area. To prepare: Select one public policy that currently is impacting you and your practice. Consider the following: What health care driver was the policy designed to address: cost, quality, access, or a combination? Does the policy appear to be achieving its intended results? On what data are you basing your assumption? What have been the effects (adverse or positive) of this policy on health care cost, quality, and access? How is this policy affecting your nursing practice? Next, select a health care issue—something you see or experience on a daily basis—about which you would like to influence a practice change through the policy process. Review the Learning Resources, focusing on Kingdon’s Model. How would you utilize this model to guide your policy development? Post a brief description of a public policy that is having an impact on your practice; summarize your analysis of the policy using the bulleted list above as a guide. Then, summarize the issue you would like to influence though a change in public policy, and outline how you would utilize Kingdon’s Model to guide your policy development. Required Readings Milstead,  J. A. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).  Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Chapter 1, “Informing Public Policy: An Important Role for Registered Nurses” (pp. xvi -13) This chapter explains public policy and the nurse’s role in directing health care issues to the government and securing a response. Chapter 2, “Agenda Setting: What Rises to a Policymaker’s Attention” (pp. 16-34) This chapter provides examples of the process of moving a problem to the attention of the government so the solution can be considered at the state and federal levels. Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 36-54)

Public policy plays a crucial role in shaping the healthcare landscape, influencing various aspects such as cost, quality, and access to care. As a nurse, it is important to understand how these policies impact your practice and how you can advocate for changes in policy to improve patient outcomes. In this discussion, we will explore the impact of a public policy on nursing practice and identify an issue that can be influenced through the policy process.

To begin, select a public policy that currently affects you and your practice. Consider the primary driver behind this policy, whether it is aimed at addressing cost, quality, access, or a combination of these factors. Assess whether this policy is achieving its intended results and on what data you are basing your assumption. Additionally, analyze the effects of this policy on healthcare cost, quality, and access, both positive and adverse.

Furthermore, reflect on how this policy is affecting your nursing practice. Are there any specific challenges or opportunities that have emerged as a result of this policy? Understanding the impact on your practice will provide insights into the potential areas for improvement or changes in policy.

Next, select a healthcare issue that you encounter on a daily basis and that you would like to influence through a change in public policy. This issue should be relevant to your practice and have the potential to have a significant impact on patient outcomes. By focusing on an issue that is familiar to you, you can draw on your firsthand experiences to drive meaningful change.

To guide your policy development, utilize Kingdon’s Model, which outlines the process of agenda setting and policy change. This model recognizes the three streams that must come together for policy change to occur: the problem stream, the policy stream, and the political stream. By understanding these streams and how they interact, you can effectively develop and advocate for policy changes.

In your discussion post, provide a brief description of the public policy that is impacting your practice. Summarize your analysis of the policy using the following bulleted list as a guide:

– Health care driver addressed by the policy (cost, quality, access, or a combination)
– Assessment of whether the policy is achieving its intended results and the basis for this assumption
– Effects of the policy on health care cost, quality, and access
– How the policy is affecting your nursing practice

Additionally, outline the healthcare issue that you would like to influence through policy change and explain how you would utilize Kingdon’s Model to guide your policy development. By clearly articulating the problem, identifying potential policy solutions, and engaging with the political environment, you can effectively advocate for change and improve patient outcomes.

In conclusion, understanding the impact of public policies on nursing practice is essential for advocating for changes that improve patient care. By selecting a public policy that affects your practice and identifying a healthcare issue that you would like to influence, you can utilize Kingdon’s Model to guide your policy development and drive meaningful change in the healthcare system.