DQ: Identify two major policy issues that affect the current state of health care delivery and population health equity in the United States (may be state or federal)
NUR 550 Topic 7 DQ 1
DQ Identify two major policy issues that affect the current state of health care delivery and population health equity in the United States (may be state or federal)
Health Policies are general statements that have goals at different levels of abstraction and range in scope and serve as a broad guideline to organizations. Public policy is set in to place to implement policies and regulations to govern practices to help the population as a whole and to ensure practices are equitable for all(Tullai-McGuinness, 2017). In my state of Washington there are many health care policies that are set into place to help ensure the health of the population is protected. The WHO in 2003 stated health is a “state of complete physician mental and social wellbeing in the absence e of disease(Tullai-McGuinness, 2017). One policy in Washington state that was set into place is Ricky’s Law that allows the states mental health system to involuntarily detain adults and minors who pose a serious harm to themselves as result of substance abuse disorder(WHSA, 2020) This policy is designed to enable the protection of someone under the influence from having further harm to themselves, while the intention is for any person fitting the criteria to be seen and evaluated, the policy does state if there is not enough room in the ER there is not another option, this creates can create a barrier for many facilities and patients to access the care they need in a crisis.
Washington state is a state with large cities and very rural area, another public health policy in Washington that is helping to protect the delivery of care in rural areas. THis policy is designed to help keep hospitals, clinics and health care access in areas of our most vulnerable populations of all cultures especially native American and Hispanic cultures where the majority live. Rural health care in Washington serves about 70% if the states area and 15% of the population (WSHA, 2020a). This policy initiative is designed to engage the communities, provide innovative access and redefining hospitals to adapt the change of health care today.
As advanced practice nurses wether in leadership, education or practicing medicine, these policies are to help guide our practice, to help ensure the population is protected and access is provided to all the population. The role of the advance practice nurse is to utilize the guidance of the policies, add evidence-based practice and create accessible care for all within the policy guidance.
Tullai-McGuinness, S. (2017). Health Policy and Health Services Delivery. Encyclopedia Of Nursing Research, 251. https://doi.org/https://search-credoreference-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/content/entry/spennurres/health_policy_and_health_services_delivery/0?institutionId=5865
WHSA. (2020). Information about RIcky’s Law: Involuntary Detention for Substance Use Disorders. Washington State Hospital Association. https://www.wsha.org/policy-advocacy/issues/information-about-rickys-law-involuntary-detention-for-substance-use-disorders/
WSHA. (2020a). Protecting Rural Health Care. Washington State Hospital Association. https://www.wsha.org/policy-advocacy/issues/protecting-rural-health-care/
Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS: DQ: Identify two major policy issues that affect the current state of health care delivery and population health equity in the United States (may be state or federal)
DQ Identify two major policy issues that affect the current state of health care delivery and population health equity in the United States (may be state or federal)
RESPOND HERE (150 WORDS, 3 REFERENCES)
I agree with you that healthcare policies are set at both the state and federal levels to ensure that the healthcare guidelines are

DQ Identify two major policy issues that affect the current state of health care delivery and population health equity in the United States (may be state or federal)
streamlined to promote access to quality care. Politicians at houses of representatives and congress work through the committee to ensure that they formulate policies that are relevant to the emerging healthcare needs and challenges. One such example in the state of Washington is the Ricky Law of Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA). In 2018, the proposed changes on the law took effect. The changes were; designated mental health professionals are to also work in the capacity of designated crisis responders (DCRs) (Saya et al., 2019). Additionally, community members who are a danger to themselves, others or property or disabled as a result of alcohol or substance abuse maybe involuntarily detained to what is referred to as a secure detox. The members of the community under this detention program are under protection of the patients’ rights as outlined in the Rights of Involuntarily detained persons. It is a requirement that these rights be displayed prominently in all facilities providing the secure detox services (Dey et al., 2019).
References
Dey, S., Mellsop, G., Diesfeld, K., Dharmawardene, V., Mendis, S., Chaudhuri, S., Deb, A., Huq, N., Ahmed, H. U., Shuaib, M., & Khan, F. R. (2019). Comparing legislation for involuntary admission and treatment of mental illness in four South Asian countries. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0322-7
Saya, A., Brugnoli, C., Piazzi, G., Liberato, D., Di Ciaccia, G., Niolu, C., & Siracusano, A. (2019). Criteria, Procedures, and Future Prospects of Involuntary Treatment in Psychiatry Around the World: A Narrative Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00271KELLI
Re: Topic 7 DQ 1
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has shifted our focus in health care delivery from a fee for service base to more of a quality of care focus. In the specialty of oncology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created the Oncology Care Model (OCM). The goal of OCM is to financially incentivize high quality oncology care (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], 2021). The practice where I work, participates in the OCM, and every year we are audited by CMS where they look at certain criteria in the patient’s charts. For example, one criterion they have a focus on is oral oncolytic adherence protocols. We have to show documentation in the patient’s chart that we are monitoring the patient’s adherence to their oral medications. If our practice meets the guidelines set by OCM, then we are awarded financially. On the other hand, if we do not meet the guidelines, we can actually be penalized financially as well. This encourages the practice as a whole to implement policies and procedures to ensure the best quality of care is being provided to our patients.
Another policy implemented by the ACA with a focus on health equity, is prohibiting insurance companies to use pre-existing conditions as a way to deny an individual to health insurance or impose waiting periods for coverage (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered [FORCE], 2021). This also plays a huge role in the oncology field. Often times, patients diagnosed with cancer may lose their job because of their inability to continue working due to treatment schedule or adverse events. These patients will then need to find other health insurance policies since they may lose their work insurance. Previously, health insurance companies would be able to deny coverage for their cancer therapies since they were previously diagnosed with cancer prior to starting the insurance policy. The ACA will ensure equity in care for all individuals whether or not they have been diagnosed with a chronic or serious illnesses.
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