Chapter 5 Health Policy and Political Action

Chapter 5 Health Policy and Political Action Access to care - Correct Answer Care should be affordable for, available to, and acceptable to a great variety of patients. Quality of care remains a problem in the U.S. Access is more than just the ability to get an appointment; it involves the availability of services at time convenient for the patient, transportation to and from the care facility, reimbursement for care, and receiving the right type of care (such as from a specialist). The ANA believes that the development and implementation of health policies that reflect the aims for care that is safe, timely effective, efficient, equitable, and patient centered, and are based on effectiveness and outcomes research, will ultimately save money. Advocacy - Correct Answer Speaking for something important (one of the major roles of a nurse). It depends on having the power, the will, the time, and the energy, along with the political skills needed to 'play the game' in the legislative area. Affordable Care Act (ACA) - Correct Answer In 2010, it was signed into law by President Obama. The purpose was to reform some aspects of healthcare insurance coverage in the U.S. More people in the U.S. obtained health insurance coverage under this law. A report emphasizes the need to expand the use of APRNs (advanced practice registered nurse) in primary care. With the changes in healthcare reform increasing the # of people who have health insurance coverage, there is even greater demand for primary care providers. Health policy - Correct Answer Has an impact on healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations, reimbursement, and all aspects of health care from local, state, and national perspectives Executive branch - Correct Answer The branch of the U.S. government in charge of enforcing and executing the laws Judicial branch - Correct Answer The branch of the U.S. government that interprets and applies laws in specific cases Legislative branch - Correct Answer The law-making branch of the U.S. government; made up of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and agencies that support Congress Lobbying - Correct Answer Assembling and petitioning the government for redress of grievances Lobbyist - Correct Answer An individual paid to represent a special interest group, whose function is to urge support for or opposition to legislative matters. May be nurses or persons who are informed about nursing and work with nurses to provide the best information to move an issue forward that supports nursing. The ANA, NLN, AACN, and and other nursing organizations have these people in Washington, DC. Political action committee (PAC) - Correct Answer A private group that represents a specific issue or group and works to get someone elected or defeated. The ANA PAC's overall goal is to improve the healthcare system in the U.S. Policy - Correct Answer A set course of action that affects a large number of people and is stimulated by a specific need to achieve certain outcomes Political competence - Correct Answer An understanding of the political process and how best to participate in the process. Sometimes giving up or modifying one viewpoint or action may lead to more effective results. It involves the ability to use opportunities, including networking, highlighting nursing expertise, using powerful persuasion, demonstrating a commitment to working with others, thinking strategically, and persevering. Politics - Correct Answer The process of influencing the authoritative allocation of scarce resources Private policy - Correct Answer Policy created by nongovernmental organizations Public Health Act of 1944 - Correct Answer This law consolidated all existing public health legislation into one law Public policy - Correct Answer Policy created by the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of federal, state, and local levels of government that affects individual and institutional behaviors under the government's respective jurisdiction Social Security Act of 1935 - Correct Answer The act that established the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs - two major reimbursement programs - and also provided funding for nursing education through amendments added to the law