Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Nurses play a critical role in advocacy for increased access to health care through their effective understanding of policies and new laws focused on effective delivery of care. Legislation remains an important way of formulating health care policies that enable millions of individuals to access care. In this legislation grid template, the paper focuses on a health care related bill in Congress and how it will impact health population. In its second part, the paper offers an advocacy statement and discussion about the bill.
| Health-related Bill Name | H.R.1884
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| Bill Number | Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019
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| Description | The bill was introduced to the House on March 26 2019 by Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. representing the sixth Congressional district from New Jersey (Congress.GOV, 2021).
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| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The aim of the bill is to revise different requirements for private health insurance plans and related plan-holder cost sharing. Particularly, the bill increased premium assistance for low-income households. The bill also extends the coverage affordability requirements for employer-sponsored plans to cover family members of the employee according to the employee’s required contribution based on the percentage of their income.
The bill outlaws specified actions by agencies which may weaken the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) regarding association health plans, short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans and state applications to waive particular provisions of the ACA. The bill also enhances minimum coverage requirements for private health insurance plans and mandates health department to promote the plans to targeted populations (Congress.GOV, 2021). The bill creates a fund for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to offer cost assistance to individuals enrolled in qualified health coverage plans. The bill also offers news and additional grant funding to allow states plan and develop health insurance exchanges, provide consumers assistance concerning available health insurance plans and increase enrollment on health insurance plan.
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| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Proponents of the bill include its sponsor and cosponsors who are mainly Democratic representatives from different Congressional Districts across the country. The cosponsors are 162 House representatives. Health care providers like nurses and physicians as well as patients are proponents of the bill.
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| Opponents: Potential opponents include insurance plan providers, Republican representatives opposed to the Affordable Care Act and lobby groups for different interest groups in health sector at state and federal level.
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| Target Population | The bill targets employees and their family members who are not eligible for expanded medical insurance coverage and plans for their family members. The bill also targets low-income families and households that cannot afford coverage under the existing regulations (Congress.GOV, 2021).
The bill also targets those enrolled in the ACA and seeks to protect them for additional requirements by health insurance providers. The bill also targets to expand health insurance exchanges in states for better service delivery to those enrolled in ACA and assist them meet the requirements.
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| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) | The bill has been tabled before the House and referred to different committees that include Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor. Current, the bill was referred to the Subcommittee in Health in the House.
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| General Notes/Comments
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Health insurance remains a critical part of attaining affordable and accessible health care services, especially primary care, for many Americans. Enhancing accessibility and affordability through assistance to meet the current requirements is essential for individuals without health care plans. such efforts would help increase enrollment on ACA and help individuals to have insurance for their family members (American College of Physicians, 2019). Therefore, the bill is important and provides a way for these individuals to enhance accessibility and quality services. The implication is that the bill will help states establish health insurance exchanges leading to more people enrolling on the ACA and enhancing the nation’s efforts to offer universal health coverage to its citizens and residents. |
Part 2: Legislative Testimony/Advocacy Statement
The need to improve accessibility to healthcare is fundamental for the nation and its population, especially as the demand for healthcare services rise due to a host of issues, including emerging infectious diseases. Different health insurance plans allow Americans to access health care services and improve their overall wellbeing. The enactment of the Affordable Care Act 2010 was a landmark decision by the Obama administration which allowed over 20 million Americans to enroll in health insurance plans (American College of Physicians, 2019). The H.R.1884- Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019 focuses on protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions and ensuring that health care remains affordable for a majority of Americans. In their study, Taylor et al. (2017) argue that political actions are essential in helping vulnerable population get access to care and be part of the health provision system. The bill will be essential in enhancing the overall benefits to the vulnerable populations, especially those from low-income households and neighborhoods across the country.
A review of the current requirements for private health insurance plans is essential in helping many Americans access affordable care plans through state exchanges. Consequently, opposition to the bill amounts to denying millions of low-income families an opportunity to get health care services that are affordable and address their unique healthcare needs. The passage of the bill is important in protecting the gains made from ACA and will be a positive step in establishing a universal health care plan for all Americans (Keith, 2019). Therefore, any opposition to the bill is not justified. The protection of ACA provisions can only occur through more legislative actions focused on enhancing and promoting health care outcomes for populations. The passage of this bill will lead to increased enrollment and protection of employees and their families while allowing them to attain the best care.
Conclusion
The need to expand healthcare access and affordability is essential and implores nurses to be advocates with better understanding of impact of different legislations. Health care bills like the one discusses are important in improving access to care through health care insurance.
References
American College of Physicians (2019). ACP Letter of Support for the Protecting
Pre-existing Conditions Bill. Retrieved on March 18, 2021 from https://www.acponline.org/acp_policy/letters/acp_letter_of_support_for_hr1884_protecting_preexisting_conditions_2019.pdf
Congress.GOV (2021). H.R.1884 – Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and
Making Health Care More Affordable Act of 2019. Retrieved on March 18, 2021 from https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1884
Keith, K. (2019 March 27). House Democrats Introduce Bill to Strengthen The
ACA. Health Affairs. Retrieved on March 18, 2021 from https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20190327.894190/full/
Taylor, D., Olshansky, E. F., Woods, N. F., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., &
Hagan, T. (2017). Position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing outlook, 65(2), 242-245. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
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| Federal and State Legislation
Part 1: Legislation Grid Based on the health- related bill 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? |
32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health- related bill.
The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health- related bill. |
28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.
The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill. |
25 (25%) – 27 (27%)
The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.
The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill. |
0 (0%) – 24 (24%)
Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing. Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. The description of the current status of the health- related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. |
| Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position. • Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation. • Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples. |
36 (36%) – 40 (40%)
Testimony clearly, accurately, and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill.
Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of the social determinant affecting the topic, and how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples. |
32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill.
Response provides an accurate explanation of the social determinant affecting the topic, and how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example. |
28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate.
Explanation of how to address the opponents and social determinant for the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate. |
0 (0%) – 27 (27%)
Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing.
Explanation of how to address the opponents and social determinant for the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. |
| References |
10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Response includes 3 or more course resources and 2 or more outside sources.
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8 (8%) – 8 (8%)
Response includes 2-3 course resources and 2 outside sources.
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7 (7%) – 7 (7%)
Response includes fewer than 2 course resources and/or fewer than 2 outside resources.
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0 (0%) – 6 (6%)
Response includes 2 or fewer resources.
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| Written Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and Organization
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.
A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive |
3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic. |
0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.
Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is incomplete or missing. |
| Written Expression and Formatting: English Writing Standards
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation. |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
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4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
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3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
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0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Contains many (≥5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
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| Written Expression and Formatting:
The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, indentations, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
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4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
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3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
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0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Contains many (≥5) APA format errors.
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| Total Points: 100 |
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