NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis

Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis– Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysisassignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis     

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Evidence-Based Practice Project: Literature Review depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis     

The introduction for the Grand Canyon University NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysisis where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis     

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysisassignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis     

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis     

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis

Introduction

Governments often make healthcare policies to address prioritized issues affecting the population. Healthcare policies are formulated with a consideration of the different factors that affect access to and utilization of healthcare services by the population. Healthcare policies such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) have transformed healthcare access and utilization in the United States. The policy has increased the utilization of health promotion and disease prevention services by the majority of the population. Nurses and other healthcare providers should be advocates of new policies that improve population health. Therefore, this presentation examines ACA and its impacts on population health.

Selected Policy: ACA

The selected policy for analysis in this presentation is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The policy is also known by other names such as Obamacare or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). ACA was enacted into law in 2010 under President Obama’s tenure. The policy is considered one of the major milestones in health policy. This is because ACA provides a near-universal guaranteed access to healthcare for all Americans. It achieves this by expanding the health insurance coverage among the Americans without insurances. Before its adoption, ACA was estimated to reduce the number of Americans without insurance by half. ACA has been effective in eliminating barriers to access to healthcare due to factors such as costs. Experts agree that ACA has reshaped the healthcare system in America. It has transformed the financial relationship between Americans and healthcare systems (Glied et al., 2020). Since its adoption, ACA has undergone some revisions to improve its ability to achieve the intended aim of improving the health of American citizens irrespective of their backgrounds.

Major Aims of ACA

The ACA was adopted with to achieve several aims. One of them was to provide universal health insurance coverage for all Americans irrespective of their backgrounds. The expanded insurance coverage would imply that all Americans could access healthcare services whenever they needed. The second aim of ACA is to improve fairness, affordability, and quality of healthcare insurance coverage. Most Americans could not afford medical insurance coverage before ACA. This meant that only a few Americans could access and afford the care they needed. The ACA addressed this challenge by ensuring affordability, fairness, and equity in the access to healthcare insurance. The policy also aimed at reducing wasteful spending in healthcare. This includes demanding the need for value-based care that focused on quality instead of quality. This move increased accountability in healthcare organizations (Dodini, 2023). The ACA also aimed at increasing access to primary care. Eliminating barriers such as cost of healthcare services implied that most Americans could access healthcare services they needed for their health issues and optimum health.

Populations Impacted by the Policy

Several populations have benefited from the ACA. They include poor Americans, people without a medical insurance coverage, women and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+, and people of color. Poor Americans benefited from ACA as seen from the reduced barriers to healthcare. Poor Americans can access healthcare services they need because of having ACA coverage. People without a medical insurance coverage also benefited since they could afford healthcare through ACA. Women and their families benefited from the improved access to maternal and child health services in the society. People with disabilities often experience considerable barriers in accessing healthcare due to cost (Campbell & Shore-Sheppard, 2020). However, ACA eliminated cost barriers, hence, increased access to healthcare for the vulnerable populations. People of color have low socioeconomic status, which affect affordability and access to healthcare services. Similarly, LGBTQ+ experience challenges such as stereotypes, stigma, and isolation in healthcare systems. However, ACA addressed these inequalities by ensuring that each American had a medical insurance coverage, which increased access to healthcare.

How it Improves Cost-Effectiveness

The ACA improves cost-effectiveness in healthcare in several ways. Firstly, ACA brought reforms in the private insurance market which benefited individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The policy achieved this by increasing the number of conditions covered in the health insurance packages. This in turn reduced the out-of-pocket money that patients incurred when seeking healthcare services. ACA also eliminated the traditional practice where insurance firms charged higher premiums for individuals with chronic conditions. This move implied that less-healthy beneficiaries could afford the different insurances for their health needs. ACA also promotes cost-effectiveness by increasing access to preventive services for Americans without cost-sharing. This means that the productivity of the population is improved because of early detection and management of health problems (Zhao et al., 2020). The ACA also focused on encouraging innovation in healthcare. The adoption of innovative practices would reduce wastages and increase the delivery of value-based care to patients and their communities.

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How it Improves Health Care Quality

The ACA improves health care quality in several ways. Firstly, ACA safeguards the right of all Americans to access high-quality, safe, and efficient care. IT achieves these outcomes by eliminating barriers to healthcare access and utilization. Traditionally, factors such as cost, employment status, income level, and ethnicity affected healthcare access. However, the ACA addressed these barriers by expanding medical insurance coverage, which assures that each American will access high quality care they need. The other way in which ACA improves health care quality is that it increases access to preventive services without cost-sharing. This means that the beneficiaries can access high quality preventive services such as screening for different conditions, which lower the disease burden in the population. The ACA requires accountability among healthcare providers. Some of the measures adopted to ensure accountability included cutting reimbursement for health organizations with high rates of adverse events. Such measures have improved care quality since organizations strive to provide safe, quality, and efficient care to their populations. The ACA has also strengthened networks among community health centers in the country (Duggan et al., 2022). The strengthened networks ensures easy access and transfer of information utilized for patient care. It has also allowed for the testing of new methods of healthcare delivery, hence, innovation and improved quality of healthcare services in America.

Financial Soundness of the Policy

The ACA is a financially sound policy. Firstly, the policy has improved health care-related economic strains experienced by healthcare organizations. The improvements can be seen in data obtained from safety-net hospitals in states that expanded and did not expand Medicaid. The data from states that expanded Medicaid reveals that hospitals benefited from increased Medicaid in patient stays, Medicaid revenues, reduced uncompensated healthcare costs. The outcomes improved the operating margins of hospitals in the expansion states. Other studies have also revealed that ACA has reduced financial strain in hospitals due to increased utilization of healthcare services by the population. The ACA is also financially sound because of its focus on reducing healthcare costs indirectly by increasing service utilization. Increased utilization of services such as preventive care translate into improved productivity in the country. Improved productivity will further drive up healthcare spending by the population due to affordability of healthcare services (Duggan et al., 2022). The ACA is also financially sound because it eliminates the financial risks that the population experience due to illnesses. The expanded insurance coverage implies that the population is assured of financial security should illnesses strike them.

How it Incorporates Nursing Perspectives

The ACA incorporates nursing perspectives, Firstly, the policy ensures equitable access to healthcare. Nurses advocate for equitable access to healthcare without a consideration of factors such as age, gender, nationality, or skin color. The ACA also incorporates nursing perspectives by protecting the population’s right to access high-quality, safe, and efficient care. Nursing standards recognize that nurses should protect the right of patients to access the care that they need irrespective of their disease status or background. The ACA expands health insurance coverage, which means that all the American citizens will have the universal access to healthcare that they need. The ACA also utilizes best practices in its provisions. The development of policy guidelines utilized best practices such as multi-stakeholder involvement and prioritization of the population’s needs in policy formulation and implementation. Evidence-based studies are also conducted to inform policy provisions. Lastly, the ACA addresses social determinants of health. Nurses adopt evidence-based interventions to eliminate the effect of social determinants of health such as employment status and income on healthcare access and utilization (Michener, 2020). The ACA supports nurses’ focus on addressing social determinants of health by expanding health insurance coverage, which lowers cost-related barriers in healthcare.

How it Incorporates Relevant Ethical, Legal, and Political Factors

The ACA incorporates relevant ethical, legal, and political perspectives. Firstly, the policy incorporates the ethical principle of justice. It ensures that all populations access healthcare that they need irrespective of their backgrounds. It also ensures that the population accesses high-quality and safe care, which ensures the protection of ethical principles of beneficence and non-maleficence (Takvorian et al., 2020). The ACA incorporates political considerations that influence healthcare policies. The policy was adopted after rigorous multi-stakeholder involvement. There was also active public participation policy formulation to ensure that it addressed the prioritized needs of the population. The policy also incorporates the ethical consideration of strengthening value-based performance in healthcare. It shifts the focus of healthcare organizations from quantity to quality-focus. The move has been effective in promoting efficiency in healthcare. The ACA incorporates the legal need for ensuring that healthcare policies ease disease burden in the population (Michener, 2020). The expanded healthcare insurance coverage implies that the population will not incur high costs in seeking the healthcare that they need.

Related Policies

Several policies relate to ACA. One of them is the VHA program.  The VHA program was established to ensure that American veterans have access to high-quality care after their service to the nation. The program ensures that veterans access primary care, specialized care, and social support services to address their health needs. The other policy that relates to ACA is SCHIPS policy. SCHIP policy was adopted to provide insurance coverage for children from families that earn too much to benefit from Medicaid but cannot afford private insurances. The program ensures that children access services such as emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and immunizations among others. Medicaid and Medicare are the other policies that relate to the ACA. Medicare provides health insurance coverage for individuals aged 65 years and above and some people under the age of 65 years suffering from disabilities or specific conditions. Medicaid is a state and joint federal program that offers health insurance coverage to people with limited resources and income (Van Houtven et al., 2020).

How the Policies Help Achieve Equitable Health Care for The Diverse Population

The above policies help achieve equitable health care for the diverse populations in many ways. Firstly, polices such as SCHIP reduce the costs that families could incur for providing the care that their children need. Reduction in healthcare costs would ensure minimal disease burden to the families and communities. The policies also address disparities in healthcare. For example, Medicare ensures that people below 65 years with chronic conditions or disabilities have the right to live healthier lives that other populations without limitations have. The policies also increase the utilization of health promotion services. Studies show that the adoption of policies such as the ACA increased the utilization of screening services among the underserved populations. The increased utilization of health promotion services contribute to the optimum health of the population because of timely diagnoses and treatment of health problems (Van Houtven et al., 2020). The policies also offer consumer protections. For example, Medicaid and Medicare ensure that private insurance firms do not impose limitations on the types of healthcare that their beneficiaries can access.

Advocacy Strategies

Several advocacy strategies can be adopted to improve access, quality, and cost-effective healthcare for the vulnerable populations that cannot afford healthcare services. One of them is health education. Health education raises awareness level among the vulnerable and stimulates lifestyle and behavioral changes that lower their risk of health problems. Health education also promotes ownership of public health initiatives adopted to improve population health. The other advocacy strategy is linking the vulnerable to resources. Linking the vulnerable to resources within their communities is important in lowering the perceived level of disease burden. It also ensures that they optimize opportunities for health promotion and disease prevention in their communities. The other strategy is protecting the rights of the vulnerable. Nurses and other healthcare providers should be patient advocates. They should stand up for patients in situations where their rights are being violated. They should ensure the policies align with the prioritized needs of their populations (Abbasinia et al., 2020; Florell, 2021). Creating safe and sustainable environments for the vulnerable is the other advocacy strategy. Safe and sustainable environments prevent the risk of illnesses among the vulnerable.

The other advocacy strategy to improve quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of care for the vulnerable population is creating patient safety culture in an organization. A patient safety culture drives continuous quality improvement in systems and processes utilized in service delivery. It ensures that organizations are dedicated to adopt best practices that will minimize the risk of harm to patients. Nurses and other healthcare providers should strengthen equality in healthcare as an advocacy strategy. Promoting equality ensures that all populations are assured of access to the healthcare they deserve irrespective of their backgrounds. It also ensures the adoption of policies and strategies that protect the rights of the vulnerable. Nurses also play the role of their patients’ voice in their advocacy roles. They stand in place of the patients should the adopted interventions predispose them to risk (Abbasinia et al., 2020; Florell, 2021). Lastly, the advocacy role also extends to ensuring the adopted policies align with the prioritized needs of the population. The alignment ensures relevance of the strategies and effective use of the allocated resources.

Professional and Moral Obligations of Master’s Prepared Nurses

A master’s prepared nurse had professional and moral obligations to respect human dignity and advance common good when working with diverse populations. One of the obligations is respecting diversity. A master’s prepared nurse must recognize that vulnerable populations have diverse needs, values, beliefs, and preferences. The diversity implies that the populations might have attitudes or practices related to health that might differ from those of the nurse. The nurse should respect the diversity by adopting strategies, such as open communication, promoting respect, honesty, and active participation of the populations in addressing their issues. The master’s prepared nurse also has the obligation to provide culturally appropriate care. The care given should respect the population’s cultural values, beliefs, and practices. Culturally-appropriate care empower patients to be proactively involved in addressing their needs. The nurse also has the obligation to be an advocate of their patients (Abbasinia et al., 2020; Florell, 2021). The nurse ensures the adopted care strategies align with the actual and potential needs of the vulnerable populations. The nurse ensures the adopted strategies do not predispose patients to any form of harm.

References

Abbasinia, M., Ahmadi, F., & Kazemnejad, A. (2020). Patient advocacy in nursing: A concept analysis. Nursing Ethics, 27(1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733019832950

Campbell & Shore-Sheppard. (2020). The Social, Political, and Economic Effects of the Affordable Care Act: Introduction to the Issue. RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 6(2), 1. https://doi.org/10.7758/rsf.2020.6.2.01

Dodini, S. (2023). Insurance Subsidies, the Affordable Care Act, and Financial Stability. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 42(1), 97–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/pam.22418

Duggan, M., Gupta, A., & Jackson, E. (2022). The Impact of the Affordable Care Act: Evidence from California’s Hospital Sector. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 14(1), 111–151. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20190279

Florell, M. C. (2021). Concept analysis of nursing activism. Nursing Forum, 56(1), 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12502

Glied, S. A., Collins, S. R., & Lin, S. (2020). Did The ACA Lower Americans’ Financial Barriers To Health Care? Health Affairs, 39(3), 379–386. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01448

Michener, J. (2020). Race, Politics, and the Affordable Care Act. Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, 45(4), 547–566. https://doi.org/10.1215/03616878-8255481

Takvorian, S. U., Oganisian, A., Mamtani, R., Mitra, N., Shulman, L. N., Bekelman, J. E., & Werner, R. M. (2020). Association of Medicaid Expansion Under the Affordable Care Act With Insurance Status, Cancer Stage, and Timely Treatment Among Patients With Breast, Colon, and Lung Cancer. JAMA Network Open, 3(2), e1921653. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.21653

Van Houtven, C. H., McGarry, B. E., Jutkowitz, E., & Grabowski, D. C. (2020). Association of Medicaid Expansion Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act With Use of Long-term Care. JAMA Network Open, 3(10), e2018728. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.18728

Zhao, J., Mao, Z., Fedewa, S. A., Nogueira, L., Yabroff, K. R., Jemal, A., & Han, X. (2020). The Affordable Care Act and access to care across the cancer control continuum: A review at 10 years. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 70(3), 165–181. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21604

Sample Answer 2 for NUR 550 Benchmark – Diverse Population Health Policy Analysis

Introduction

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted by President Barack Obama in March 2010, seeks to improve healthcare by broadening insurance access for millions of uninsured Americans (Baumgartner et al., 2020). The Affordable Care Act, colloquially referred to as Obamacare broadened Medicaid eligibility, created health insurance marketplaces, and required individuals to have health insurance. It forbids insurers from rejecting coverage based on preexisting diseases and mandates that policies include essential health benefits, encompassing preventive services at no charge. The ACA provides premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for families with lower incomes. As of September 2022, 39 states and the District of Columbia have broadened Medicaid eligibility. Annual open enrolment takes place on the Health Insurance Marketplace, permitting individuals to acquire or modify plans, with special enrolment options available for life transitions.

Overview of the Policy

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) seeks to improve healthcare accessibility and cost, while also enhancing quality and consumer protections. Essential characteristics encompass obligatory employer coverage, tax incentives for small enterprises, and the creation of insurance marketplaces. It broadened Medicaid eligibility for low-income persons and permitted young adults to remain on parental insurance plans until the age of 26 (Sommers, 2020). The ACA abolished lifetime coverage caps, limited yearly restrictions, and guaranteed coverage for children with previous diseases. It fosters prevention via grants for health programs and requires coverage for preventive services. The ACA also allocates resources to health information technology, mitigates medical errors, and improves care coordination. Regulation of insurance premiums and practices seeks to mitigate fraud and enhance competition, hence reducing healthcare expenses.

Impact on Diverse Populations

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) profoundly influenced numerous distinct communities. Individuals with low income gained from the broadened Medicaid eligibility, enhancing healthcare access for millions (Eguia et al., 2019). Minority populations, such as African Americans and Hispanics, encountered diminished rates of uninsurance. Health insurance marketplaces facilitated access to subsidized insurance for young persons, part-time employees, and the self-employed. Consumer safeguards expanded coverage for patients with chronic conditions, while preventative programs mandated by the ACA increased health outcomes in underprivileged populations. Young adults may remain on their parent’s insurance coverage until the age of 26, mitigating elevated uninsured rates within this category. Women acquired vital health advantages, and rural communities obtained insurance via marketplaces. Nonetheless, obstacles persist, including discrepancies in Medicaid expansion among states, issues of affordability, and continuing inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes.

Cost-Effectiveness of the ACA

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) improves cost-effectiveness in healthcare via multiple essential techniques. It expands Medicaid, enhancing coverage for low-income persons, thereby facilitating early treatment and decreasing overall expenses. Health Insurance Marketplaces promote competition among insurers, hence maintaining low premiums. Subsidies aid families in controlling premium expenses (Buettgens et al., 2021). The ACA prioritizes preventive care, hence diminishing the necessity for costly treatments in the future. Insurance reforms abolish pre-existing condition exclusions, enhancing access and equitably spreading costs. Cost management strategies, like Medicare payment reforms and the minimization of overpayments, emphasize quality care. The ACA seeks to reduce costs through new healthcare models and mandates basic health benefits, guaranteeing complete coverage while assuring transparency in rate hikes.

Promoting Health Care Equity

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to improve healthcare equality in the U.S. by mitigating access barriers for various populations. Essential provisions encompass Medicaid expansion, which extends coverage to a greater number of low-income persons, including previously marginalized adults. The ACA created health insurance markets that provide subsidies to individuals earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, enhancing affordability for economically disadvantaged populations (Baumgartner et al., 2020). It forbids insurers from engaging in discriminatory practices related to pre-existing conditions and requires the provision of fundamental health benefits. Augmented financing for community health centers guarantees care for marginalized groups, but Section 1557 safeguards against discrimination in healthcare programs. The ACA prioritizes prevention and public health programs addressing health disparities and requires the collection of demographic data to guide policies designed to mitigate inequities.

Financial Viability of the ACA

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is deemed financially robust owing to numerous fundamental elements. The individual mandate sought to expand the insurance pool by incorporating younger, healthier persons, hence stabilizing premiums (Haeder & Yackee, 2020). Secondly, Medicaid expansion diminished uncompensated care expenses for hospitals, enhancing healthcare affordability for low-income individuals. Third, subsidies and tax credits guarantee the accessibility of insurance, especially for low-income households, thus stabilizing the insurance market. Moreover, cost-containment strategies, like the promotion of Accountable treatment Organizations and preventive treatment, seek to diminish long-term healthcare costs. The ACA implemented taxes and levies on pharmaceutical corporations and affluent individuals to finance the program. Ultimately, improvements designed to decrease Medicare expenditures improve efficiency and prioritize quality of care, thus bolstering its financial sustainability.

Incorporating the Nursing Perspective in Health Policy

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) acknowledges nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) as primary care providers, thereby solving physician shortages in impoverished regions. It facilitates nurse-managed health clinics (NMHCs), improving healthcare access for at-risk groups. The ACA seeks to augment the nursing workforce via loan payback and scholarship initiatives, guaranteeing a continuous supply of qualified nurses (Neiman et al., 2021). The ACA mandates coverage for preventative services, underscoring the role of nurses in health promotion. It promotes interprofessional collaboration, recognizing the essential contributions of nurses to team-based care. The ACA emphasizes quality enhancement and patient safety, aligning with nursing’s dedication to evidence-based, patient-centered care, hence emphasizing the critical position of nurses in the healthcare system.

Ethical, Legal, and Political Factors

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) presents substantial ethical issues, primarily concerning access to healthcare, non-discrimination, and the individual mandate. By extending Medicaid and creating health insurance exchanges, it seeks to guarantee equal healthcare access for millions of uninsured Americans. The ACA forbids discrimination due to pre-existing conditions, fostering equity. Nonetheless, the individual mandate incites discussions over personal autonomy in contrast to communal responsibility. The ACA has encountered legal challenges, especially over its constitutionality, with the Supreme Court affirming it in 2012 (Moriya & Chakravarty, 2023). It remains a divisive political issue, dividing Democrats and Republicans, and inciting efforts for repeal and revision. The implementation of the ACA differs by state, mirroring political beliefs. It fundamentally transforms the U.S. healthcare landscape, reconciling individual rights, state and federal authority, and the roles of the market and government.

State and Federal Health Policies

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) profoundly influenced federal and state health policies. The federal government implemented Medicaid expansion, enabling states to provide coverage for persons with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level, hence decreasing uninsured rates among low-income demographics (Akinyemi et al., 2023). It created health insurance marketplaces for individuals to evaluate policies, providing subsidies to enhance affordability. The ACA mandates that bigger firms provide employer coverage and stipulates that insurance plans must encompass essential health benefits, thereby guaranteeing complete care. Protections for pre-existing conditions improve access for those with chronic illnesses. At the state level, governors have the authority to establish customized health marketplaces and determine Medicaid expansion, resulting in coverage discrepancies. States may also implement innovations via exemptions and establish consumer assistance programs to enhance health insurance enrolment.

Global Health Policies

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) corresponds with international health policy by advocating for equitable access to healthcare. It increased Medicaid, mitigating disparities for low-income persons, and advocates for universal health coverage. The ACA forbids discrimination due to pre-existing ailments, mitigating disparities for those with chronic illnesses, and paralleling international initiatives to safeguard at-risk groups. State-operated health insurance marketplaces improve affordability and competition, mirroring international efforts for effective healthcare systems (Adashi et al., 2022). The ACA’s emphasis on cost-free preventive care corresponds with international approaches prioritizing early illness intervention. Furthermore, employer regulations and individual obligations reflect collective accountability throughout the health system. Financial support for community health centers focuses on marginalized populations, whilst data collecting facilitates the monitoring of discrepancies. Ultimately, fostering worker diversity and cultural competency improves service delivery, aligning with global health responsiveness objectives.

Enhancing Health Care Access

To improve healthcare access for African Americans under the ACA, many lobbying techniques may be implemented. Community outreach via educational workshops can educate persons regarding enrolment processes and advantages. Utilizing cultural ambassadors helps foster trust within communities. Advocacy for policy is crucial, especially in pushing local governments to broaden Medicaid and endorse legislation that tackles social determinants of health (Moriya & Chakravarty, 2023). Mandatory cultural competency training and enhanced representation of African American professionals can elevate the quality of healthcare delivery. Improved data collection and research financing can reveal inequities and guide actions. Collaborating with charity organizations and integrating healthcare with social services can fulfill wider needs. Finally, promoting the expansion of telehealth and employing social media marketing can enhance awareness and accessibility among younger demographics.

Quality Improvement Initiatives under the ACA

Quality Improvement Initiatives under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) seek to elevate healthcare quality for African Americans by tackling inequities. Essential methods encompass the establishment of the Office of Minority Health to address health disparities and enhance data gathering about racial healthcare issues. The ACA endorses Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to promote coordinated care, highlighting quality indicators pertinent to African American patients (Neiman et al., 2021). Furthermore, organizations promote cultural competency training for healthcare providers to enhance communication and mitigate bias. Technological innovations, like telemedicine and mobile health clinics, are advocated to improve the management of chronic conditions. Partnerships with community organizations and advocacy training enable local leaders to effect policy changes, ensuring adherence to non-discrimination mandates to enhance overall healthcare quality.

Cost-Effective Health Care

Strategies for lobbying to improve cost-effective healthcare for African Americans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) encompass community participation, policy advocacy, and the mitigation of health disparities. Community outreach initiatives can inform folks about the ACA and enhance health literacy. Promoting Medicaid expansion and augmented subsidies can improve the affordability of coverage (Sommers, 2020). Facilitating extensive data collection will customize health interventions to community needs while fostering culturally competent care can enhance patient-provider interactions. Augmented financing for community health centers and legislative endorsement of the ACA’s stipulations are essential. Forming alliances with advocacy groups and faith-based organizations can enhance initiatives. Furthermore, advocating for telehealth services and enhancing digital literacy might augment access to healthcare, especially in marginalized regions. These comprehensive measures seek to diminish inequities and provide equitable access to healthcare.

The Christian Perspective

From a Christian viewpoint, nurses with a master’s degree bear considerable professional and ethical obligations in advancing health and preventing illness, while maintaining individual dignity and the collective welfare. Their professional responsibilities encompass sustaining expertise, advocating for patients, and exhibiting cultural proficiency, especially by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which seeks to improve healthcare accessibility (Ercia et al., 2021). Nurses are ethically obligated to uphold human dignity, champion justice and equity, and exemplify service and stewardship, in alignment with Christ’s teachings. They must deliver comprehensive care, interact with communities, and cooperate with other healthcare professionals, by the ACA’s emphasis on preventative care and health equity. Their work is essential in providing quality care and promoting health justice, informed by professional standards and Christian principles.

Conclusion

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) signifies a substantial transformation in the U.S. healthcare system, to improve access, cost, and quality of care for various groups. The ACA has reduced uninsured rates, especially among low-income and minority populations, by extending Medicaid, creating health insurance exchanges, and instituting vital consumer protections. Nonetheless, obstacles persist, including discrepancies at the state level and continuing concerns with healthcare access. The ACA emphasizes preventative care and cost-effectiveness, combined with a dedication to health equity, highlighting the necessity for collaboration among healthcare professionals, governments, and communities. Moving forward, sustained campaigning and new initiatives are crucial to guarantee that the ACA delivers on its commitment to equitable healthcare for all Americans, emphasizing the key contributions of nursing and community involvement in this effort.

References

• Adashi, E. Y., O’Mahony, D. P., & Cohen, I. G. (2022). And then there were three: the decimation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) CO-OPs. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 35(4), 867–869. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2022.04.210533
• Akinyemi, O. A., Weldeslase, T. A., Fasokun, M., Griffiths, Y., Andine, T., Odusanya, E., Williams, M., Hughes, K., Cornwell, E., & Fullum, T. (2023). The impact of the Affordable Care Act on access to bariatric surgery in Maryland. The American Journal of Surgery, 115609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.12.021
• Baumgartner, J., Collins, S., Radley, D., & Hayes, S. (2020). How the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Has Narrowed Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Insurance Coverage and Access to Health Care, 2013‐18. Health Services Research, 55(S1), 56–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13406
• Buettgens, M., Blavin, F., & Pan, C. (2021). The Affordable Care Act reduced income inequality in the US. Health Affairs, 40(1), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00931
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