Assignment: Advocacy Statement
Assignment: Advocacy Statement
Question Description
Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
How often, as a nurse, have you thought to yourself, “If I had any say in the matter, things would be a little different?” Nurses are increasingly realizing that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses have daily experiences that motivate them to become advocates in order to influence policies, laws, or regulations affecting healthcare issues of interest. Of course, this entails venturing into the less familiar realms of policy and politics. While many nurses may not feel prepared to operate effectively in this space at first, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
The Task: (1–2 page Comparison Grid; 1–2 page Legislative Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Part 1: Comparison of Legislation Grid
Fill out the Legislation Comparison Grid Template based on the health-related bill you chose. Make certain to address the following:
Determine the legislative intent of the bill under consideration.
Determine the bill’s supporters and detractors.
Determine which populations are served by the bill.
Where is the bill currently in the process? Is it in committees or hearings?
Is it getting press attention?
Part 2: Advocacy Statement/Legislative Testimony
Create a 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement based on the health-related bill you chose that addresses the following:
Advocate for the bill you’ve chosen and write testimony in support of your position.
Describe how you would respond to your opponent’s position. Provide specifics and examples.
Recommend at least one bill amendment in support of your position.
Maternal healthcare is one of the determinants of the quality, safety and efficiency of health in a state. The US is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is therefore expected to have the lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the world. However, statistics show that the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the US are significantly high. Consequently, this paper explores a proposed policy that aims at reducing the current rates and trends in maternal mortality and morbidity in the USA.
| Health-related Bill Name | Recognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring Mothers
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| Bill Number | H.Res.539 |
| Description | Maternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue affecting the United States of America. The statistics presented in the bill shows that despite being a developed nation, America has the highest rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. The statistics also show that the risk for maternal mortality and morbidity is significantly elevated among women from ethnic minority groups when compared to the American natives. Women also experience challenges in their maternal care such as mistreatment that degrade their self-identity and autonomy. Based on the above maternal health-related issues, the Recognizing The Maternal Health Crisis In The United States And The Importance Of Reducing Mortality And Morbidity Among All Women And Honoring Mothers Act was proposed for implementation. The act seeks to address the issue by focusing on a number of aspects related to maternal health. Firstly, it seeks to raise the awareness of the public about maternal morbidity, mortality and the existence of disparities in maternal health-related outcomes. The bill also seeks to encourage states, Federal Government, territories, local communications and healthcare organizations among other stakeholders to take interventions that reduce the risk and rate of adverse maternal health outcomes as well as improve maternal safety. The other aims of the act include addressing and eliminating disparities in maternal health outcomes, ensuring the provision of equitable and respectively maternal care, honoring mothers who have died due to pregnancy-related complications, and supporting the collection of data on maternal morbidity and mortality. It also supports the need for further investment efforts to enhance maternal health and health outcomes as well as eliminate disparities in maternal healthcare.
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| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The legislative intent of the act is to recognize the seriousness of maternal morbidity and mortality issues in the US. The act also seeks to raise the awareness of the public and other stakeholders on the need to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Further, the act aims at ensuring the disparities in outcomes of maternal health are eliminated. Lastly, it aims at ensuring that mothers and pregnant women receive respectful care that meets their health needs.
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| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: They include Reps. Underwood Lauren, Kelly Robin, Spanberger Abigail Davis, Wexton Jennifer, and Adams Alma.
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| Opponents: none
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| Target Population | The primary beneficiaries of the proposed bill are pregnant women and mothers. It also includes women from ethnic minorities. The secondary target population includes healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.
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| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) | The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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| General Notes/Comments
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The proposed bill is a crucial bill that should be adopted in the US. The need for the bill is attributed to the high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the USA. Its implementation would therefore support the provision of care that addresses the needs of pregnant women and mothers from diverse ethnic backgrounds. |
Advocacy Statement
Maternal mortality and morbidity is a critical issue in the US despite it being a developed nation (Collier & Molina, 2019; Joseph et al., 2021). For example, statistics show that 60% of the maternal mortalities reported in the US are preventable. In addition, the risk of women of ethnic minority groups such as African American and American Indians dying from pregnancy related complications is three times that of the White women. Women also experience different forms of mistreatment, as they receive their needed maternal healthcare (Morton et al., 2019). Therefore, the proposed bill should be adopted in the USA to address the identified issues. The bill will increase the maternal health outcomes as well as the quality of care mothers and pregnant women receive (Congress.gov, 2021). Through the bill, the USA will rank among the world’s leading nations with lowest maternal mortality and morbidity rates. I will address the opponents in my position by presenting facts above the severity of the issue of maternal mortalities and morbidities in the US. I will also provide the socioeconomic implications of maternal mortalities and morbidities to the state. For example, I will explore the cost implications of the issue to the American economy and families.
Conclusion
The US currently has a high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity. Significant disparities exist in maternal health outcomes due to ethnicity of the mothers and pregnant women. The proposed bill is important in ensuring equity in maternal healthcare and adoption of best practices to reduce and prevent maternal mortalities and morbidities. Therefore, it should be implemented to promote public health.
References
Collier, A. Y., & Molina, R. L. (2019). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and Solutions. NeoReviews, 20(10), e561–e574. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.20-10-e561
Morton, C. H., VanOtterloo, L. R., Seacrist, M. J., & Main, E. K. (2019). Translating Maternal Mortality Review Into Quality Improvement Opportunities in Response to Pregnancy-Related Deaths in California. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 48(3), 252–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.03.003
Joseph, K. S., Boutin, A., Lisonkova, S., Muraca, G. M., Razaz, N., John, S., … & Schisterman, E. (2021). Maternal Mortality in the United States: Recent Trends, Current Status, and Future Considerations. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 137(5), 763. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004361
Congress.gov. (2021, July 19). Text – H.Res.539 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Recognizing the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing mortality and morbidity among all women, and honoring mothers. (2021/2022) [Legislation]. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-resolution/539/text