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It may seem to you that healthcare has been a national topic of debate among political leaders for as long as you can remember.
Healthcare has been a policy item and a topic of debate not only in recent times but as far back as the administration of the second U.S. president, John Adams. In 1798, Adams signed legislation requiring that 20 cents per month of a sailor’s paycheck be set aside for covering their medical bills. This represented the first major piece of U.S. healthcare legislation, and the topic of healthcare has been woven into presidential agendas and political debate ever since.
As a healthcare professional, you may be called upon to provide expertise, guidance and/or opinions on healthcare matters as they are debated for inclusion into new policy. You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. For all of these reasons you should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news.
In this Assignment, you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas. You also will prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact on this issue of recent or proposed policy. + 600 words, include references citation in-text is APA
The Impact of Healthcare Policy on Access and Affordability
Healthcare policy has a direct effect on the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services for individuals. Unfortunately, in recent years, access to affordable health insurance coverage has declined substantially due to an increasingly complex and costly healthcare system. High levels of out-of-pocket costs associated with care have made it difficult for many people to receive the needed medical services that could prevent or treat illness, leading to poorer health outcomes for those who cannot afford care. As well, increasing premiums, high deductibles and copays have created significant financial barriers for many individuals seeking medical care.
Presidential agendas have focused on ensuring greater access to affordable healthcare while also improving quality of care. Previous administrations have sought to reduce out-of-pocket costs through various measures such as expanding Medicaid eligibility requirements, offering subsidies towards purchasing individual plans in federal exchanges and implementing regulations aimed at protecting consumers from predatory insurers who may charge exorbitant fees or deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
In addition, policies such as decreasing prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare Part D plans more freedom negotiating prices with pharmaceutical companies are being considered in order to help protect Americans from unfairly inflated costs for treatments or medications they need but cannot afford due to cost constraints.(1) Other potential solutions include improved price transparency which would require providers publicly reporting their charges making it easier for patients to compare prices prior committing themselves financially (2). These measures will give patients more options when seeking medical treatment thus enabling them access better quality services that fit their budgets needs.(3)
The current administration is proposing further reforms aimed at lowering consumer cost burdens including removing limits placed by states on short term health plans designed as stopgap solutions between long term coverage lapses (4). Such proposals may provide temporary relief however they lack the essential protections offered by ACA compliant plans thus leaving consumers vulnerable if something unexpected should happen during these periods(5). There is concern that these policies will result in healthy people being drawn away from ACA compliant plan pools resulting in higher premiums(6) potentially leaving those most in need without adequate protection against expensive events like hospitalizations or chronic disease management programs(7).
Healthcare advocates recognize that there must be balance between providing access while maintaining financial stability of our nation’s healthcare system. To achieve this goal requires careful consideration and analysis of proposed new policy definitions using evidence based data so appropriate actions can be taken keeping patient needs paramount . By engaging stakeholders including payers providers , administrators , clinicians , employers , individuals and other interested parties we can ensure any changes will meet criteria necessary create successful systems advancing both public health interests economic security .
In conclusion , understanding impact presidential agendas can have on healthcare will play important role ensuring citizens remain informed make wise decisions regarding their medical choices . Without effective collaboration among all involved finding ways increase access reducing overall consumer burden become even more difficult than before . Proper research analysis must be done before any changes implemented guarantee best outcomes possible given resources available .
References: 1 : https://www.healthaffairsblog.org/2019/05/03/obamas-aca-and – trump–s – efforts -to – lower – americas –prescription -drug–prices / 2: http://www ovcrdpfhhrt hhs gov / newsroom / issues / transparency 3 : https://www kaiserfamilyfoundation org / kff –analysis 4 :https // www cnn com 2020 03 04 politics steele trump planned rule change 5 :https // www nbcnews com news us news long –term 6 : https // www washingtonpost com opinion how trump s 7:https//www modernhealthcare com opinion trump s Obamacare rules aren t a solution they re a