Analyze the history, structure, and process of healthcare policy and politics in nursing and the health care delivery systems in the United States.
Submission Instructions:
*500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.
Health-Care-Policy and Politics in Nursing and Delivery Systems in The United States
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Health-Care-Policy and Politics in Nursing and Delivery Systems in The United States
Introduction
Healthcare is a basic human need, therefore, it must be well regulated, supported, and given the attention it deserves. In all societies and across all cultures, people require medical interventions to care for their illnesses and injuries (NCCHC, 2022). Additionally, communities benefit from healthcare promotional activities to improve their wellbeing and prevent diseases. Healthcare policy and politics in nursing are directly related to the quality of healthcare delivery. Health policies are designed to guide health providers on care delivery and the kind of outcomes they should be anticipating (NCCHC, 2022). This paper discusses the history, structure, and process of healthcare policy and politics in nursing and the health care delivery systems in the United States.
Professional nursing has a unique place in the American healthcare system. Millions of American citizens turn to nurses for the delivery of primary health care services. The year 1873 was a breakthrough year in American professional nursing history (Mason et al., 2020). It gave birth to three nurse educational programs, the New York Training School at Bellevue Hospital, the Connecticut Training School at the State Hospital (later renamed New Haven Hospital), and the Boston Training School at Massachusetts General Hospital. Before, 1900, not even a single state had a nurse practice act (Mason et al., 2020). In 1902 members of the New York Nurses Association gathered at the Rochester City Hospital to discuss the establishment of the Americas first nurse practice act.
Healthcare policy and politics in nursing have a wide structure to cover everything that determines the quality of care, holistic care, and positive patient outcomes. The state nurse practice regulates the nurse scope of practice for all nurses. It also regulates all nursing licensures such as RNs, LVN/LPN, and APRNs (NCCHC, 2022). Nursing practice is, therefore, regulated at the state level through administrative rules (laws) and civil procedures. Many other government agencies such as federal and local authorities also issue regulations, standards, and guidance to improve care. There are many processes involved in making health laws. The first is to examine the public health interest. The second is to determine the overall effectiveness of the policy. The third point is to assess whether the policy is well-targeted, also, identify the human rights burden, and examine whether the policy is the least restrictive alternative (NCCHC, 2022). Policymakers should always pursue a fair process to arrive at the decision. therefore, they must examine carefully, all the relevant facts and arguments.
The U.S. healthcare delivery system has undergone significant reform over years. For instance, in the 1800s, large employers (such as coal mining) provided insurance to employers through company doctors. In 1929, a group of hospital insurance was provided to teachers at a hospital in Texas (DPE, 2016). In 1935, the Social Security Act was established and considered old-age insurance. In the 1960s, the Medicare and Medicaid laws were enacted. In 2010, president Obama enacted the affordable care act (ACA).
The American health care delivery system is unique among the developed countries. The United States does not have a uniform health care system, it does not have universal healthcare coverage, however, it enacted legislation mandating healthcare coverage for almost everyone (DPE, 2016). Instead of establishing a national health service, a single-payer national health insurance system, or a multi-payer universal health insurance fund. Therefore, the U.S. healthcare delivery system may be described as a hybrid system.
Conclusion
Healthcare is a basic need and right for everyone, hence, must be made available and easy to access. Nursing professionals are important healthcare workers. Nursing policy and politics have significantly shaped the American healthcare system. Nursing practice is regulated by states through the state nurse practice act. the American healthcare delivery system may be described as a hybrid system.
References
DPE. (2016). The U.S. Health Care System: An International Perspective. https://www.dpeaflcio.org/factsheets/the-us-health-care-system-an-international-perspective
Mason, D. J., Dickson, E. L., McLemore, M. R., & In Perez, G. A. (2020). Policy and politics in nursing and health care. Saunders.
NCCHC. (2022). Regulations, Standards, Policies, Procedures and Protocols. https://www.ncchc.org/cnp-regulations