Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience.
As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger
health care system.
For this assignment, identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity for
advocacy through legislation. Research the issue and use the “Advocacy Through Legislation” template to complete this
assignment.
You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last
5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.
Advocacy Through Legislation
Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation.
Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria
should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.
Problem
In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the
issue continues.
Problem
The cost of healthcare is a significant challenge affecting effective healthcare outcomes. With higher life expectancies there
is greater susceptibility to diseases and a larger older population means more pressure on health resources. As a result, healthcare
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costs are ever-rising and governments continue to minimize the costs of healthcare to increase ease in access. Programs such as
comprehensive national insurance cover have allowed better access to health services at affordable prices, and governments
continue to find ways to finance and reimburse healthcare. However, they are not sufficient to cater for the high cost of healthcare,
for instance, the high costs of prescription drugs have led patients to try to influence the frequency with which their prescriptions are
filled as they are unable to afford the co-payments.
The affected
Patients from a low social-economic background are most affected by the high cost of prescription drugs, therefore,
affecting health outcomes. In the case of diseases such as cancer whose treatment requires long-term intervention often attracts high
costs creating an extreme burden for a patient and family with limited resources. Patients are forced to choose between basic needs
such as food, shelter and clothing and medicine and the situation is even worse for the elderly living under pension as they are
unable work to cater for medical costs.
Idea for Addressing Solution
In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
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The challenge can be solved by creating awareness of programs in local stores that provide affordable pricing for prescription
medication, this is particularly important as many patients are not aware of ways to receive discounts or locally available resources
to fill prescriptions. However, legislation is the best advocacy approach in dealing with the high cost of drugs and it entails
providing information to elected officials as they wield significant influence. Politics inform policy and it is in this regard that as a
nurse providing accurate and latest information backed by credible research, and facts are the best way forward. Politicians can
easily sponsor a bill that will become legislation thus the need to establish coalitions in support of their proposed legislation.
The legislation is also the best course of action as it establishes the rights and responsibilities for individuals and entities on
which the laws apply. In this case, legislation needs to revolve around regulating the cost of prescription drugs and curbing the
influence of private practice as emphasis will be on serving the masses first. Although the approach is quite controversial as many
are the times that the government partners with private sector providers, it will be useful in improving healthcare delivery; such
laws should be comprehensive in natures to set frameworks for the recommendation of prescription drugs.
Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for
addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
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Evidence 1 Legislation has worked in other jurisdictions for instance in June 2018, the UK
Competition Appeal Tribunal invalidated the Competition and Markets Authority after
finding out that epilepsy drugs were overpriced (Kleijnen et al, 2016).
Evidence 2
Also, according to Vogler, & Kilpatrick (2015), in response to the global financial
crisis legislation were enacted resulting in cost-containment measures which led to
price cuts for prescription medicine
Passing legislation to regulate the cost of prescription drugs will significantly lower
the cost of healthcare resulting to cost savings for patients who spent much on
medication.
Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 Patients as they are most affected by the high costs of prescription medicine
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2 Family members of patients as are affected by the high cost of medicine
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Stakeholder Opposition
Discuss the stakeholders who would oppose the proposed idea. Explain why they would be in opposition and how you would
prepare to debate or converse about these considerations.
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 1 Pharmaceutical companies would likely oppose the idea as it would lower profit
margins, nonetheless the cuts have to be made for optimal health outcomes for all
Stakeholder(s) Opposed 2 Private hospitals are likely to oppose as they make money from returns, however,
through participatory approaches the private entities can be engaged to compromise
Financial Incentives/Costs
In no more than 250 words, summarize the financial impact for the issue and the idea (added costs, cost savings, increased revenue,
etc.). Provided support.
Passing legislation to regulate the cost of prescription drugs will significantly lower the cost of healthcare resulting to cost savings
for patients who spent much on medication.
Legislature: Information Needed and Process for Proposal
Discuss the how to advocate for your proposal using legislation. Include the following:
Provide the name and complete contact
information for the legislator.
Describe the steps for how you would
present this to your legislator.
Explaining the challenge of high costs of healthcare, and its implications through
loss of lives and man-hours lost in terms of labor
Through research to offer accurate and latest information backed by credible
Outline the process if your legislator The first step in a bill becoming a law in entails the idea for a bill proposed by
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chooses to introduce your idea as a bill to
congress.
lawmakers to constituents. The bill is then numbered and sent to the relevant joint
standing committee which holds public hearings for bills it would like to consider.
Upon approval, the bill is sent to the legislative commissioner’s office to be
evaluated for constitutionality then taken to the Office of Fiscal analysis which
assesses the impact on community and costs (Watson & O’Connor, 2017). Drafting
of the bill follows, and if not amended, the bill is sent to congress and becomes law
after the house approves it by a 2/3 majority vote.
Christian Principles and Nursing Advocacy
In no more than 250 words, discuss how principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care
without bias. Be specific as to how these principles help advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all populations,
including those more vulnerable, without regard to gender, sexual orientation, culture, race, religion/belief, etc.
Principles of a Christian worldview lend support to legislative advocacy in health care through emphasizing on actions that
benefit all, that is actions that all would wish to be universal law. Given that it is only God who gives life, it is he who has the right
to take life, therefore any attempts that hinder the preservation of life such as withholding treatment due to being unaffordable must
be met with criticism. Moreover, principles of a Christian worldview advocate for inclusiveness and positive health outcomes for all
populations, including those more vulnerable regardless of race religion or beliefs as all human beings are created equal and, in the
image, and likeliness of God,
References
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Kleijnen, S., Lipska, I., Leonardo Alves, T., Meijboom, K., Elsada, A., Vervölgyi, V., … & Goettsch, W. G. (2016). Relative
effectiveness assessments of oncology medicines for pricing and reimbursement decisions in European countries. Annals of
oncology, 27(9), 1768-1775.
Vogler, S., & Kilpatrick, K. (2015). Analysis of medicine prices in New Zealand and 16 European countries. Value in health, 18(4),
484-492.
Watson, C. L., & O’Connor, T. (2017). Legislating for advocacy: The case of whistleblowing. Nursing ethics, 24(3), 305-312.