NURS 6050 Politics and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

ByLeon Kiprotich Leon Updated on

NURS 6050 Politics and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

A causal relationship exists between politics and health. In a surficial explanation, better politics leads to better health care services. Towards the election in the United States, potential legislators develop enticing manifestos to use as competitive advantage. Some of the areas often covered include goals to better the existing health care system through the introduction of policies.

For example, the greatest health care achievement during President Obama’s Administration is the implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (Kominski, Nonzee & Sorensen, 2018). However, due to political idiosyncrasies, there have been tremendous attempts to repeal the ACA during President Trump’s Administration. The purpose of this writing is to address the efforts to repeal the ACA and how the cost-benefit analysis and voters’ views affect the process.

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Efforts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

Prior to the Obama Administration, US citizens and limited access to health care and most were uninsured. As such, President Obama considered it wise to develop a policy that would increase health insurance coverage. The birth of the ACA therefore ensued in an attempt to increase coverage, access, and improve health outcomes particularly to low-socioeconomic groups (Kominski et al., 2018). Despite President Obama’s efforts, his successor President Donald Trump, considers the ACA objectives as futile and has attempted to sabotage it in various ways.

Even though his repeal attempts have been largely unsuccessful, some of the sabotage initiatives that emerged from a congregational failure to repeal the ACA include the following: reduced outreach and enrollment opportunities for ACA, cutting ACA subsidies to insurance companies that offer coverage, and expansion of cheap insurance coverage that do not meet the quality standards (Willison & Singer, 2017). Noteworthy is that the sabotage plans have significantly eroded the ACA program gains.

Who Benefits the most

The intent of developing a policy is to improve outcomes in a specific population. For example, following ACA implementation, over 20-million American citizens who were previously uninsured received health coverage (Kominski et al., 2018). This therefore means that the American citizens benefitted the most. However, this might not be the case in all policy implementation.

For instance, the attempts to repeal ACA would mean that more than 20-million people could lose their health insurance coverage. Further, the insurance companies would lose big following the sabotage initiative to cut the ACA subsidies to insurance companies that offer coverage on the exchanges. Thus, while it is the US citizens that reap the most benefits, they are also the most likely group to feel the greatest impact in case a policy implementation fails or gets sabotaged.

Effect of Cost-benefit Analysis on the ACA Repeal Efforts

Buettgens, et al. (2016) conducted a comprehensive cost-analysis review on the cost of ACA repeal and established that the repeal would reduce the federal government’s medical expenditure for the nonelderly population. The reduction was projected to be by $90.0 Billion in 2021 and $927 Billion between 2017 and 2026 (Buettgens et al., 2016).

However, the reduction would come at a cost in various areas, among them, a rise in uninsured population to 24 million by 2021, 14.5 million fewer individuals with Medicaid insurance in 2021, increased state spending by $68.5 Billion between 2017 and 2026, and less health care to low- or moderate-income families. Weighing the benefits and shortfalls, the reports depict that the repeal of ACA is associated with increased negative financial and health repercussions. This therefore informs the resilience of ACA to date.

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Effect of Voters’ views on Policy Implementation

The voters’ say is highly revered when it comes to policy implementation. In electoral democracy, voters influence government policy implementation. For example, a recent KFF Health Tracking Polls conducted in October 2020 revealed that majority of the public (55%) have a favorable view on ACA while 39% hold a negative opinion (Mclntyre & Song, 2019)). This is one of the reasons ACA is resilient up to date. This is one of the areas where voters inform governments’ policy implementation.

References

  • Buettgens, M., Blumberg, L. J., Holahan, J., & Ndwandwe, S. (2016). The Cost of APA Repeal. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Urban Institute, 7-20.
  • Kominski, G. F., Nonzee, N. J., & Sorensen, A. (2018). The Affordable Care Act’s Impacts on Access to Insurance and Health Care for Low-income Populations. Annual Review of Public Health, 38, 489-505. https://dx.doi.org/10.1146%2Fannurev-publhealth-031816-044555.
  • Mclntyre, A., & Song, Z. (2019). The US Affordable Care Act: Reflections and Directions at the Close of a Decade. PLoS Medicine, 16(2), e1002752. https://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1002752.
  • Willison, C. E., & Singer, P. M. (2017). Repealing the Affordable Care Act Essential Health Benefits: Threats and Obstacles. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8), 1225. https://dx.doi.org/10.2105%2FAJPH.2017.303888.

Discussion: Politics and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Regardless of political affiliation, individuals often grow concerned when considering perceived competing interests of government and their impact on topics of interest to them. The realm of healthcare is no different. Some people feel that local, state, and federal policies and legislation can be either helped or hindered by interests other than the benefit to society.

Consider for example that the number one job of a legislator is to be reelected. Cost can be measured in votes as well as dollars. Thus, it is important to consider the legislator’s perspective on either promoting or not promoting a certain initiative in the political landscape.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Resources and reflect on efforts to repeal/replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
  • Consider who benefits the most when policy is developed and in the context of policy implementation.

By Day 3 of Week 3

Post an explanation for how you think the cost-benefit analysis in terms of legislators being reelected affected efforts to repeal/replace the ACA. Then, explain how analyses of the voters views may affect decisions by legislative leaders in recommending or positioning national policies (e.g., Congress’ decisions impacting Medicare or Medicaid). Remember, the number one job of a legislator is to be re-elected. Please check your discussion grading rubric to ensure your responses meet the criteria.

By Day 6 of Week 3

Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by expanding on their explanation and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.

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Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

To Prepare:

  • Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

  • Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
  • Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
  • Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
  • Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

  • Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
  • Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
  • At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.

By Day 7 of Week 4

Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.