Healthcare Policy and Analysis

BM

Bessie Mae Martin-Jackson

Dec 4 9:27pm

Manage Discussion by Bessie Mae Martin-Jackson

Reply from Bessie Mae Martin-Jackson

Week 2 Initial Discussion

12/4/2024

Advocacy Priorities for Palliative Care Population

Palliative Care is a specialty model of care provided to patients with a serious illness. This is my vulnerable population group who I have seen in the community, but I am not their primary provider. This population group presents with a serious illness diagnosis and other chronic diseases which further impacts their health and wellbeing. Some advocacy priorities of concern are adequate nutrition, having a direct caregiver, homemaker or a supportive family member, transportation, copayment support, and living in a safe, accommodating living environment. In the assigned reading resources, Jessica’s story depicted advocacy priorities as a pregnant young female. According to Satcher Health Leadership Institute (2021), Jessica’s pregnant state was a preexisting condition; unfortunately, the insurance company denied her crucial health insurance which needed to prevent her son from experiencing a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

              The needs of the palliative population group are to have an opportunity to receive an all-inclusive health insurance tailored to each member based on a need analysis assessment. Another need is to have palliative care providers who are compassionate, empathic, and culturally sensitive with a heart to serve this population. The last need is for palliative care patients to receive specialty equipment without having the cost burden. For example, I interacted with one person who was ill and morbidly obese, required a specialty mattress and an extra-large, long hospital bed. Unfortunately, his insurance did not approve the specialty hospital bed.

How are Disparities Reflected in Policy and Policy Reflected in Disparities?

According to Dawes (2020) states, “policy defines a vision for the future which in turn helps to establish targets and points of reference” (p. 70). Based on Jessica’s story, the law makers placed policies which were not beneficial for her neighborhood. Some of the policies were as follows: unfavorable zoning laws, clean water diverted away, unhealthy water was routed to her complex with contaminated toxins, and the community was absent of tenet protective policies that would hold landlords accountable to provide safe housing which would be free of mildew and rodents. It was absent of grocery stores, and doctors declined to practice in this community due to low reimbursements (Satcher Health Leadership Institute, 2021). For example, if the policy is beneficial and considers the whole person’s well-being, then the policy will eradicate the existing disparities. On the other hand, if the policy is harmful and unfair, the outcome will be harmful, like what Jessica experienced. This is how policy and disparities are a mirror image of each other.

Role of Nursing individually and collectively in influencing policy decisions

Our nursing roles are diverse, impactful, and powerful. Individually as a palliative care provider, I can influence policy decisions that can impact my vulnerable population by staying informed and educated with new policies or laws affecting health care, become abreast as to how these laws will affect my vulnerable population groups, and perform a research study on trends. Most importantly, I have a voice which can allow me to write to our political representatives and share my concerns affecting my vulnerable population group. Most powerfully, I can exercise my vote. Just because one elects a political official who holds the same values is not a guarantee of health equity (Dawes, 2020).

Collectively, nurses can assist vulnerable population groups by joining various associations such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Together, these associations can have a better impact in helping the vulnerable population groups by their wealth of resources, collaborative skills to address disparities, body of knowledge, financial resources, conferences, education, and advocacy. For example, one voice will echo, but a group of voices will roar.

References

Dawes, D. E. (2020).  The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press

Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (2021).  The Political Determinants of Health—Jessica’s Story .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmMutvgQIcU

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Akosua Serwaa Hagan

Advocacy Priorities for Mental Health Patients

Mental health disorders have globally been acknowledged as a public health concern due to the impact it has on individuals’ life (Singh et al., 2022). With this recognition, the need for advocacy to improve the well-being of mental health patients is vital. According to Saha (2021), advocating for individuals with mental health disorder has become necessary to enhance the rights of these individual and remove barriers that hinders positive health outcomes. Nurses championing the human rights of individuals with mental health disorders to remove and address the associated stigma is crucial (Ntshingila et al.,2024). Improving access to care, promoting overall mental health services for patients and reducing stigma related to the disorder are some key priorities that needs to be advocated for.

Advocacy effort should aim at increasing access to care in the area of incorporating care through behavioral health clinics in the community. This will ensure effective management of disorders. Increasing access to healthcare for mental health patients will lead to better health outcomes as disorders are effectively managed (Coombs et al., 2021). Access to care can help patients with substance use to benefit from medication-assisted treatment. Telehealth puts mental health services within the reach of individuals, helping patients in rural or remote areas, and also achieving the benefits of easing stigma and saving time and difficulties with transportation to receive care out of reach.

Advocacy to promote equity and inclusion is also vital. According to Moreno and Chhatwal  (2020), ethnic-racial minority groups are often discriminated on in the area of utilizing access to mental health services, due to factors such as insurance status and socioeconomic status. Underserved areas which usually have populations of ethnic- racial minority groups usually have shortages of mental health professionals to provide care. Individual in underserved areas are at a disadvantage of attaining full health potential due to health disparities. Policies that support diversity and inclusion must be enforced (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020). Social determinants of health impacts mental health outcomes and policies to address employment, housing, education and other determinants of health is crucial. Individual’s health outcomes have a strong association with health literacy as it aids in understanding diagnoses, treatment and management of disorders (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020).

Needs of Mental Health Patients

Mental health patients need access to care at affordable cost. The high cost of healthcare and lack of insurance hinders mental health patients from seeking care, which affect health outcomes. The expansion of Medicare and Medicaid with will promote access to mental healthcare at affordable cost (Mongelli et al., 2020). Mental health patients need care that promotes both mental and physical health. Care provided must address these areas to enhance early interventions and preventive strategies. To promote culture of inclusiveness, diversity must be considered (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020). Community-based support and services which promotes a sense of belonging and connection is needed by patients with mental health. Certified community behavioral health clinics which as a community based program offers various services to address substance use and mental health. Mental health patients also need access to equal opportunities in the area of housing, education, employment and other social determinants of health for better health outcomes (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020). The rights of patients must be protected to remove the stigma associated with disorders (Ntshingila et al., 2024). 

Disparities in Policies and Reflection

According to Moreno and Chhatwal (2020) health disparities are preventable. Underserved populations, usually ethnic-racial minority groups have less access to mental healthcare. Factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, and stigma associated with mental health disorders hinder them from seeking and engaging in mental health services (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020). Mental health patients have challenges when it comes to health inequalities. Every individual has the right to attain the maximal health they want to achieve, according to the World Health Organization (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020), but mental health patients are at a disadvantage when it comes to conditions relating to physical and mental health. Medicaid, Medicare and other insurance companies are reluctant to provide coverage for people in this population. Harsh social environment has a detrimental effect on the health outcome of individuals, affecting their mental health (Moreno and Chhatwal, 2020). People with mental health disorders usually have low economic status, reduced employment opportunities and less access to education. Disparities in policies regarding mental health must be fully addressed for better outcomes.

Role of the Nursing

Nurses, most especially psychiatric nurses have a vital role in having a voice for the holistic care and needs of patients with mental health disorders (Ntshingila et al., 2024). Nurses must advocate for the right of patients to remove barriers such as stigma to promote well being. Advocacy for access to mental healthcare is needed for effective treatment and management of disorders. Telehealth services must be promoted to benefit patients in rural and remote areas to bring mental health services within their reach. 

Nurses must advocate for patients by creating awareness to policy makers about mental health disorders, needs and the importance of addressing issues to promote the overall well-being of people in this population. Nurses through collaborative efforts can work with government agencies, advocacy groups and other stakeholders to address mental health issues through policy changes (Ntshingila et al.. 2024). Nurses can engage in research on policies that are evidence- based to address and enhance the health outcomes of mental health patients. 

Advocating for patients with mental health disorders to address disparities, develop and implement policies that address issues pertaining to mental health will have a positive impact on mental health patients. 

References

Coombs, N. C., Meriwether, W. E., Caringi, J., & Newcomer, S. R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among U.S. adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study.  SSM - population health,  15, 100847.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100847Links to an external site.

Mongelli, F., Georgakopoulos, P., & Pato, M. T. (2020). Challenges and Opportunities to Meet the Mental Health Needs of Underserved and Disenfranchised Populations in the United States.  Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing),  18(1), 16–24.   https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20190028Links to an external site.

Moreno, F. A., & Chhatwal, J. (2020). Diversity and Inclusion in Psychiatry: The Pursuit of Health Equity. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 18(1), 2–7.  https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20190029Links to an external site.

Ntshingila, N., Temane, A., Poggenpoel, M., & Makhale, M. E. (2024). Psychiatric nurses advocating for the human rights of mental health care users in Gauteng. The South African journal of psychiatry : SAJP : the journal of the Society of Psychiatrists of South Africa, 30, 2233.  https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2233Links to an external site.

Ntshingila, N., Temane, A., Makhale, M. E., Poggenpoel, M., & Myburgh, C. (2024). Facilitating psychiatric nurses' advocacy for mental healthcare users' human rights in a primary healthcare setting: a conceptual framework.  BMC nursing,  23(1), 747. 

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02405-xLinks to an external site.

Singh, V., Kumar, A., & Gupta, S. (2022). Mental Health Prevention and Promotion-A Narrative Review. Frontiers in psychiatry, 13, 898009.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.898009Links to an external site.

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PEER #2

Bessie Mae Martin-Jackson

Week 2 Initial Discussion

12/4/2024

Advocacy Priorities for Palliative Care Population

Palliative Care is a specialty model of care provided to patients with a serious illness. This is my vulnerable population group who I have seen in the community, but I am not their primary provider. This population group presents with a serious illness diagnosis and other chronic diseases which further impacts their health and wellbeing. Some advocacy priorities of concern are adequate nutrition, having a direct caregiver, homemaker or a supportive family member, transportation, copayment support, and living in a safe, accommodating living environment. In the assigned reading resources, Jessica’s story depicted advocacy priorities as a pregnant young female. According to Satcher Health Leadership Institute (2021), Jessica’s pregnant state was a preexisting condition; unfortunately, the insurance company denied her crucial health insurance which needed to prevent her son from experiencing a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission.

              The needs of the palliative population group are to have an opportunity to receive an all-inclusive health insurance tailored to each member based on a need analysis assessment. Another need is to have palliative care providers who are compassionate, empathic, and culturally sensitive with a heart to serve this population. The last need is for palliative care patients to receive specialty equipment without having the cost burden. For example, I interacted with one person who was ill and morbidly obese, required a specialty mattress and an extra-large, long hospital bed. Unfortunately, his insurance did not approve the specialty hospital bed.

How are Disparities Reflected in Policy and Policy Reflected in Disparities?

According to Dawes (2020) states, “policy defines a vision for the future which in turn helps to establish targets and points of reference” (p. 70). Based on Jessica’s story, the law makers placed policies which were not beneficial for her neighborhood. Some of the policies were as follows: unfavorable zoning laws, clean water diverted away, unhealthy water was routed to her complex with contaminated toxins, and the community was absent of tenet protective policies that would hold landlords accountable to provide safe housing which would be free of mildew and rodents. It was absent of grocery stores, and doctors declined to practice in this community due to low reimbursements (Satcher Health Leadership Institute, 2021). For example, if the policy is beneficial and considers the whole person’s well-being, then the policy will eradicate the existing disparities. On the other hand, if the policy is harmful and unfair, the outcome will be harmful, like what Jessica experienced. This is how policy and disparities are a mirror image of each other.

Role of Nursing individually and collectively in influencing policy decisions

Our nursing roles are diverse, impactful, and powerful. Individually as a palliative care provider, I can influence policy decisions that can impact my vulnerable population by staying informed and educated with new policies or laws affecting health care, become abreast as to how these laws will affect my vulnerable population groups, and perform a research study on trends. Most importantly, I have a voice which can allow me to write to our political representatives and share my concerns affecting my vulnerable population group. Most powerfully, I can exercise my vote. Just because one elects a political official who holds the same values is not a guarantee of health equity (Dawes, 2020).

Collectively, nurses can assist vulnerable population groups by joining various associations such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Nurses Association (ANA). Together, these associations can have a better impact in helping the vulnerable population groups by their wealth of resources, collaborative skills to address disparities, body of knowledge, financial resources, conferences, education, and advocacy. For example, one voice will echo, but a group of voices will roar.

References

Dawes, D. E. (2020).  The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press

Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (2021).  The Political Determinants of Health—Jessica’s Story .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmMutvgQIcU