Healthcare Policy

Assess the impact of health legislation on a professional nursing standard, your own nursing practice, and your community. You will also develop the presentation as if you going to communicate your analysis to your peers and to legislators. GovTrack.us provides a list of federal health bills that are currently in process in Congressional Committees.

• How might the bill impact your own nursing practice if passed? If not passed?

Full Answer Section

  mpact on Professional Nursing Standards Health legislation can impact professional nursing standards in a number of ways. For example, legislation can establish new standards of care, clarify existing standards, or remove outdated standards. Legislation can also provide funding for research that can be used to develop new nursing standards. One example of how health legislation can impact professional nursing standards is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA established a number of new standards of care for nurses, such as the requirement that nurses have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing. The ACA also provided funding for research that can be used to develop new nursing standards, such as the development of new guidelines for pain management. Impact on Nursing Practice Health legislation can also impact nursing practice in a number of ways. For example, legislation can change the way that nurses are reimbursed for their services, create new opportunities for nurses to practice, or impose new restrictions on nurses' practice. One example of how health legislation can impact nursing practice is the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC is an interstate compact that allows nurses to be licensed in multiple states. This can make it easier for nurses to find employment and to move between states. Impact on the Community Health legislation can also impact the community in a number of ways. For example, legislation can improve the quality of healthcare in the community, increase access to healthcare, or reduce the cost of healthcare. One example of how health legislation can impact the community is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The MHPAEA requires health insurance plans to provide the same level of coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment as they do for other medical conditions. This has helped to improve the quality of mental health and substance abuse treatment in the community. Presentation to Peers and Legislators In my presentation to peers and legislators, I would focus on the following points:
  • The importance of professional nursing standards in ensuring the quality of healthcare.
  • The ways in which health legislation can impact professional nursing standards.
  • The impact of health legislation on nursing practice.
  • The impact of health legislation on the community.
I would argue that health legislation should be designed to support and strengthen professional nursing standards, to improve nursing practice, and to benefit the community. I would also argue that health legislation should be developed with input from nurses and other healthcare professionals. How Might the Bill Impact My Own Nursing Practice if Passed? If Not Passed? The bill that I am analyzing is the Nurse Licensure Compact Expansion Act. This bill would expand the NLC to include all 50 states and the District of Columbia. If the bill is passed, it would make it easier for nurses to find employment and to move between states. This would have a positive impact on my own nursing practice, as it would give me more opportunities to work in different settings and with different populations. If the bill is not passed, it would make it more difficult for nurses to find employment and to move between states. This would have a negative impact on my own nursing practice, as it would limit my opportunities to work in different settings and with different populations. Conclusion Health legislation can have a significant impact on professional nursing standards, nursing practice, and the community. It is important for nurses to be aware of the potential impact of health legislation and to advocate for legislation that supports and strengthens professional nursing standards.

Sample Answer

  Health legislation can have a significant impact on professional nursing standards, nursing practice, and the community. This is because health legislation can shape the way that healthcare is delivered, the resources that are available to nurses, and the expectations that are placed on nurses.