Week6 Policy Advocacy Letter

Clinical Requirement:

PendingHealthcareBillcopy.docx 2 Week2 Healthcare Policy and Finance Assignment Heidi Lugo Galen College of Nursing Course Name Instructor’s Name Date Week2 Healthcare Policy and Finance Assignment The selected pending Healthcare Bill is S.1297 - Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act. Link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate- bill/1297?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22healthcare+pending+bills%22%7D&s=1&r=2 Why the Bill is Important S.1297 - Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act Reproductive health care is essential, which makes the “Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act” (S.1297) a vital bill. On April 26th, 2023, Senator Patty Murray presented this bill to protect and aid legal practitioners of reproductive healthcare and their helpers. This law is critical, especially given the ongoing debate on reproductive rights and access to healthcare. First, this law protects healthcare providers offering reproductive services and their aides. The inclusion of abortion, contraception, in vitro fertilization and other services into the legislation shows an understanding of the different types of treatments women need from reproductive health care. Using technology telehealth delivery can improve access specifically for those who live in underserved or remote areas (Haleem et al., 2021). Additionally, it is an audacious piece of legislation that bans people, businesses and states from obstructing legal reproductive health care. This legal protection prevents infringement upon the rights of medical professionals as well as ensures that patients can obtain those rights without any difficulty. The government can sue through its Department of Justice, individuals and providers to enforce such a bill, which demonstrates accountability through enforcement. Additionally, financial aspects of the law matter, too. Denying states, the use of federal funds for lawsuits against medical providers or refusing coverage by professional malpractice insurers based solely on what kind of reproductive healthcare service has been rendered by a healthcare provider reduces healthcare providers’ financial burdens. Also, funding within the bill will ensure grants towards helping providers deal with legal matters and security so that they do not stop their jobs due to consequences. Best Representative to Push for the Policy Florida's 27th congressional district's Maria Elvira Salazar is the best representative to push for the bill "Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act" (S.1297). After a career in media and radio, Salazar understands the importance of effective communication in healthcare policy. As a journalist, she can simplify complex matters for the public, helping them grasp the bill's importance. Salazar's community roots help her comprehend her district's different healthcare needs. Salazar is well-suited to discuss reproductive health care in Florida's 27th district, which is culturally diverse. Her bipartisan participation on committees shows her dedication to finding common ground in divided healthcare policy. Salazar's commitment to comprehensive reproductive health care and women's rights resonates with S.1297's goals. Maria Elvira Salazar is a persuasive and effective advocate for the "Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act." because of her media background, community contacts, and bipartisanship. Email: [email protected] References Haleem, A., Javaid, M., Singh, R. P., & Suman, R. (2021). Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sintl.2021.100117 Week6PolicyAdvocacyLettercopy.docx Week 6 Healthcare Policy & Finance Policy Advocacy Letter Assignment Overview:   Nurses can advocate for healthcare policies to promote justice, fairness, and health equity at facility, local, state, national, and global levels. Writing a letter of concern for or support towards a particular policy or legislation is an effective way to hold leaders accountable in their positions.   Assignment Instructions:   In the Week 2 Policy Letter Checkpoint, you began this assignment by completing the following:   · Identifying a pending healthcare bill that needs improvement or proposing a new bill recommendation relevant to your current practice, community health needs, or personal interests. · Explaining why that bill or recommendation is important. · Identifying the leader or change agent (local, state, and national leader/legislator) who is appropriate to advocate for this policy change or adoption.   · Identifying the official mailing or email address of this leader.  Note: Your elected officials’ email and physical addresses are available on their websites. You can find out who represents you on the  House  and  Senate   For this assignment you will use the bill and leader identified in Week 2 ( María Elvira Salazar) to compose a letter or email to the leader or change agent using the following sections. Use proper letter or email format including address lines, greeting, subject line, date, salutation, and professional closing. Use this  sample letter  as a guide. Use complete sentences with professional language and accurate grammar/sentence structure. The letter or email should be concise with a maximum of 2 pages. Use APA-recommended font.  Paragraph 1 Introduction:    · Introduce yourself, your current role, and your relationship to the leader or change agent.    · Summarize why this issue is important to your role.    · Explain your perspective on this issue.    · State your position/request/reason for writing.    · Note: If your letter pertains to a specific piece of legislation, identify it accordingly as federal or state, e.g., H.R. 1234 (for a House resolution) or S.B. 234 (for a Senate bill). Paragraph 2 Summary & History:    · Summarize the pending healthcare bill or the lack there of if you chose to recommend a new bill. (Attach existing bill or link to piece of legislation to this letter.)   · Outline the history or evolution of this piece of pending legislation. · Outline the policy development process at this level.   · Explain your rationale for recommending a new or changed healthcare bill.    Paragraphs 3 & 4 Recommendations:   · If you are supporting the recommended changes proposed by the bill, describe its impact on patient care and your nursing role at bedside, higher organizational levels, local, state, national, and global levels. · If you are recommending a new piece of legislation, describe the need for it and the impact(s) of the lack of policy on patient care and your nursing role at bedside, higher organizational levels, local, state, national, and global levels (as applicable). Draft a proposal for the new bill.   · If you are recommending an improvement or additions to an existing piece of legislation, propose specific areas within the existing bill that need improvement. Refer to specifics in the existing bill or legislation and draft changes.  Describe the areas that you would want to change and how they could benefit patient care, community or population health, or nursing practice at the bedside, higher organizational levels, local, state, national, and global levels (as applicable).   · Provide justification and at least 2 pieces of factual evidence to support your recommendations with proper APA in text citations. Paragraph 5 Closing: · Explain what you want the leader to do or steps you want them to take and request a response from them on the issue. · Explain how you can help facilitate this change or be involved in the policy development process. · Provide additional resources or recommendations as applicable.    Appendix:  · On a separate page, include a 2-3 paragraph reflection on this assignment addressing the following prompts:    · State if you mailed or emailed the letter and include the date it was sent.   · Describe your experience, feelings, and perceptions throughout this assignment.    · Do you think this is an effective way to advocate for your changes? Why or why not?   · What is your expected response from your legislator or representative?    · How will you follow up or what are your next steps or other actions you can take?   · What are your views about the nurse’s role in healthcare policy advocacy after completing this assignment?    Assignment Submission Requirement:   · Submit the assignment (letter and appendix) to dropbox as a Word document.     · Send the letter or email to the leader after completing the assignment.