Assignment Task:
Reply to the following discussion, APA style, 150 to 200 words, 1 or more references, NO AI, Plagiarism less than 20%.
Over the past few weeks, my view of healthcare policies and how they shape patient care has evolved. I have also come to observe access to services and clinical outcomes with greater mastery and critical thinking. I understand that policies are not distant or unrelated norms, but rather that each law or regulation is a path we must understand in order to act professionally and, above all, to ensure the greatest possible equity, as we understand the barriers that exist in this regard. An example is the expansion of Medicaid under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA, 2021). This allowed for increased health coverage in at-risk populations, especially in areas where the expansion had not previously been implemented. In my immediate environment, based on my personal experience, I noticed that treatment continuity improved for patients with chronic conditions thanks to broader access to medications and specialized visits (Torrens, 2020).
This knowledge, acquired during these weeks, made me want to become an advanced practice nurse (APRN) and policy advocate for the underserved. I understand that there is much work to be done to defend the rights of those affected by legal barriers, and I would like to contribute perspectives that address the challenges that persist. Medicare reimbursement criteria reform is one of the topics that most interest me because it can include nurse-led interventions. This allows for the comprehensive management of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes or heart failure. Elvidge (2024) points out that the involvement of APNs in these types of settings reduces costs and achieves better results with more favorable outcomes (Elvidge, 2024).
To integrate the knowledge from the course, I plan to stay up-to-date through the Kaiser Family Foundation newsletters and participation in other organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). We also have access to health policy conferences and congresses where representatives of our specialty advocate for laws that are more favorable to the work done by underserved populations.
I can affirm that I experienced professional growth that enriched me as a professional. I feel more prepared as a healthcare provider and as an advocate for change. In the future, I want to participate in local legislative initiatives because I understand that through our profession, we can transform realities. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Elvidge, N. (2024). Practice pathways, education, and regulation influencing nurse practitioners' decision to provide primary care: a rapid scoping review. BMC primary care, 25(1), 182.
Torrens, C. (2020). Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the advanced nurse practitioner role in primary care settings: A scoping review. International journal of nursing studies, 104, 103443.