Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Nurses continue to play a significant role in patient advocacy. We encounter many daily experiences and challenges that encourage us to take part in advocacy roles that can impact policies and enact laws and regulations that can directly affect patient care. Advocacy gives us a chance to shape and influence future healthcare policy. In nursing, advocacy involves preserving human dignity, promoting equality of patients, and providing freedom from suffering. This also involves ensuring that patients can make decisions concerning their medical condition, and actively participate in issues pertaining to their health. (Abbasinia et al., 2019). Advocacy is an aspect of nursing as it ensures that patient safety can be the highlight for legislation to move quickly on passing bills. This paper aims to explore the bill “Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act” and determine its effectiveness if implemented in the advocacy statement.
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Legislation Grid Template
| Health-related Bill Name | Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act. |
| Bill Number | H.R 7383 |
| Description | This bill aims to establish a program that will provide access to continuing medical education programs for primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals at the federally qualified levels. The bill would provide adequate training, and support for primary care providers so that they can practice at their full scope, which would allow more access to healthcare for patients in underserved areas (Rosen, 2021). This will also provide the quality of services and enhance patients’ health outcomes in our regions. The bill also would create a five-year pilot program to support up to 100 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQGCs) and Rural Health Clinics. The funding would boost the capacity and increase the medical need within our communities, which will enhance skills in these areas to expand access to healthcare. |
| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The bill was introduced into the House of Representatives as a House Bill (H.R 7383) by Representatives Susie Lee, Dave Joyce, Tom O’Halloran, and Brian Fitzpatrick. Bipartisan legislation aims to provide additional support for primary care providers in rural and underserved areas through accredited ongoing education and clinical support to enhance providers’ knowledge and skills. The bill can also improve access to quality care services for better patient outcomes. The bill was read twice on the second of March 2021 and referred to The Health, Education, Labour, and Pensions committee. |
| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Apart from the representatives who introduced it, the bill is also supported by several organizations, including the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, California Telehealth Network, The CME Coalition, Families USA, National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARMH), National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD), National Association of Rural Health Clinics, National Rural Health Association, Nevada Health Centers, Nevada Primary Care Association, Nevada State Office of Rural Health, Nevada Public Health Association, CHIN (formerly Oregon Community Health Information Network). |
| Opponents: So far, there are no opponents of this bill identified yet. | |
| Target Population | The bill targets people living in underserved regions. It aims to curb the doctor shortages in these areas which will ensure the healthcare needs of Americans. The bill waits to go through the acquisition of specialized medical care for providers serving these areas (Rosen, 2021). About 83 million Americans have been identified to be living in these regions designated as” The Health Professional Shortage Areas “(HPSA). If the bill passes. It will shorten the shortage of healthcare workers and put more focus on patients’ needs. |
| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) | The bill was read twice on the second of March 2021 and referred to the Health, Education, Labour, and Pensions Committee. Currently, it is still in the committees. |
| General Notes/Comments
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Evidence-based research has linked the lack of access to providers and specialized care to higher mortality rates and increased preventable hospitalizations in rural and underserved regions. In Nevada, about 17 counties have been suffering from Health Professional Shortage Areas. (HPSA). Over 83 million Americans live in areas designated as having professional health shortages; a ratio identified based on the population-to-provider ratio, the time of travel to hospital and healthcare facilities, and the poverty rates. Implementing this bill will enable more accessible quality healthcare services and reduce the rates of mortality associated with a lack of access to providers. It will also improve healthcare providers’ skills, enhancing their ability to handle more complex cases. And significantly improves the patient’s quality of health and outcomes. The Continuing Medical Education Programs (CME) will involve education activities aimed at improving, maintaining, developing, and expanding healthcare providers’ knowledge, skills, and professional performance to enable of quality service. Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement |
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/ Advocacy Statement
Access to affordable, quality healthcare service is a fundamental right of every citizen in the United States. These services should entail receiving the recommended screening and prevention services from capable, qualified, and culturally competent providers. These services should be received whenever the need arises and readily accessible, without the need to travel long distances in search of them. (Rural Health Information Hub, 2021). With the increased shortages in the healthcare workforce, including doctors, primary physicians, and nurses, the health needs of most Americans usually go unmet due to a lack of specialized medical care within their areas of residence. The research-based evidence points out a very high link between lack of provider access and increased mortality rates and preventable hospitalizations, there is a need to promote access through provider education.
This bill will be essential in bridging the gap between providers and the patient population by providing continuing education programs to healthcare professionals to maintain, develop, or expand their knowledge. People with low social status and income are the most affected by the lack of access to care providers, as they may find it challenging to travel long distances in search of essential care services. The bill would be crucial in linking clinicians with relevant, practice-based, and effective accredited continuing education programs that will improve the care for these patients and promote better access to essential healthcare.
For Bill’s Opponents, I would respond by informing legislators of the increasing number of Americans that are living in underserved regions, on the importance of passing this bill as soon as possible, to decrease patient mortality rates. I also would highlight the bill’s benefits for the patients and how it would improve healthcare access. Eighty-three million Americans are a large proportion of the public that cannot just be left out of the healthcare system. Therefore, mechanisms need to be put in place to improve the health of every American citizen.
In conclusion, the Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act is a crucial bill that needs to be passed into law to facilitate the training of healthcare providers and boost their clinical expertise in providing care to people in rural and underserved areas. The bill will go a long way in ensuring equitable healthcare access and improving the health outcomes of patients through the provision of quick and prompt delivery of care. Continuous education programs will also ensure that clinicians are updated on the most current diagnostic procedures and management approaches to different illnesses.
References
Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2019). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019832950
Rosen, J. (2021, February 3). Text – S.201 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Underserved Areas Act. Www.congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/201/text
Rural Health Information Hub. (2021, August 18). Healthcare access in rural communities introduction. Ruralhealthinfo.org. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/healthcare-access
Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
- Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
- Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
- Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
- Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
- Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
- Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.
- Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
- At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.
By Day 7 of Week 4
Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.
submission information
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK4Assgn+LastName+Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
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Federal and State LegislationPart 1: Legislation GridBased on the health- related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
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Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.• Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
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References
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Written Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and OrganizationParagraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas.Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.
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Written Expression and Formatting: English Writing StandardsCorrect grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation.
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Written Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, indentations, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.
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