Healthcare Policy Advocate Essay

Healthcare Policy Advocate

Mary Register

Health Policy NR 708

Healthcare Policy Advocate

Qn. 1. The truth is, I was never been active in any political issues at work or in my neighborhood when I was a Registered Nurse ( R.N) . As my nursing education progressed and I became an APRN ( Nurse Practitioner) , I learnt more and more about the political role I could play as an advanced nurse. In the words of Lamb et al. (2018), DNP graduates have the ability to advocate for healthcare reforms because of their experience, leadership abilities, and understanding of research and evidence-based practice but if in addition to their DNP (doctoral degree) they graduate from an APRN program previously at the master level ( either NP, PMHNP, CRNA) we can also do changes in the clinical setting . Graduates of the DNP program are well-equipped to help shape healthcare finance, practice rules, and policy implementation and advocacy in ways that promote social justice and equality in healthcare ( I say this because I have been involved in Florida fighting against the physicians lobbyist that are doing everything they can to stop Nurse Practitioners to practice to the level of their training and bring equal health care to so many patients in need. Health policy may be developed and implemented locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally by DNP graduates. If you are a DNP graduate, you have a responsibility to help shape healthcare policy and fight for your support policies. After learning about the critical role advanced nurses play in healthcare policy, I’ve decided to become more involved in the politics of healthcare. We fought here in Florida for FPA ( Full Practice Autonomy ) and even thought the HB607 it didn’t passed with the language and autonomy we expected ( it didn’t include PHMNP and CRNAs) it will allow us practice autonomous for FNP in the primary care setting which is a good step forward.

Qn. 2. As a DNP student, I’ve learned that I must see myself as a professional who has the power and obligation to affect existing and future healthcare delivery systems. I need to improve my ability to influence policy to ensure that patients get high-quality, cost-effective treatment. So, as well as advocating to ensure that all citizens have equal access regardless of their ethnicity, political party, or religious views. Advanced nurses will be better able to recognize their leadership abilities if a framework is in place to help them categorize their abilities. Scholars with a DNP may better express their leadership to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the general public if they can identify and explain their role in that leadership process. In addition, policies must be in place that defines and contain acceptable criteria for delivering therapy and address the standards necessary for such care (Lamb et al., 2018). My goal is to learn enough about political competence and how to fight for cost-effective, high-quality healthcare in my local community and state by the end of this class.

Qn. 3. In the United States, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounts for 4% of all malignancies diagnosed and treated (American Cancer Association, 2021). In the event of a severe and sudden lymphoma diagnosis, research suggests that short-term health insurance provides patients very little protection. As a result of these plans’ significant flaws, patients who would otherwise be on the hook for higher medical expenses and under-covered treatments get access to them. An organization called the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is fighting to prevent patients from being harmed by these initiatives. LLS Public Policy Office works on behalf of blood cancer patients and their families to implement legislation addressing the substantial difficulties these illnesses pose (The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), 2020). Individuals with cancer and their families are urged to inquire about their insurance coverage and to call the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for assistance if necessary.

Qn. 4. My Tweet

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Policy Advocacy @LLSAdvocacy… Jan 5

Happy New Year! We look forward to continuing our work with advocates in 2022 to ensure all patients have access to affordable care as soon as they need it. @LLSAdvocacy aims to promote policies that will speed up the development of new cancer medicines and reduce the hurdles that patients face in accessing care. lls.org/policy-advocacy.”

( here is my Twitter account https://twitter.com/LeonardENP1 and my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/leonard.aprn/ if you want to join my network , and my practice Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/youandimedspa/ )

References

American Cancer Society. (2021). Key Statistics for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/about/key-statistics.html

Lamb, A., Martin‐Misener, R., Bryant‐Lukosius, D., & Latimer, M. (2018). Describing the leadership capabilities of advanced practice nurses using a qualitative descriptive study. Nursing Open, 5(3), 400-413.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). (2020). Short-Term Health Plans Leave Patients Vulnerable to Major Medical Bills, According to New Research from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Retrieved from https://www.lls.org/