Analysis of U.S.

Healthcare Policy 1

Analysis of U.S. Healthcare Policy

Evelina Balzhyk

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

March 15, 2020

Introduction

Health care policies are guidelines that have been formed directing the action of thinking

about and solving ongoing problems related to the objectives of an organization (Huber, 2018).

Policies, “establish broad limits on and provide direction to decision making, yet they permit

some initiative and individuality for unique circumstances” (Huber, 2018, p. 229). It is

significant for nurses to be informed in this area and participate in the improvement of health

care policies as appropriate. The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides a list of health

care policies and one of the policies will be discussed further. This paper will discuss one health

care policy from the 2020 Nurses List of Bills, identify all major stakeholders and their

influence, the positive and negative aspects of the policy on a patient, identify the legislative,

regulatory, and financial impacting nursing practice, and what changes or addition could be

made to the policy to ensure positive client outcomes.

Summary of Bill H2258

The bill which was chosen for this assignment is H2258, this bill is regarding alcohol,

tobacco, and drug education in children. The Health Education Account appropriates one million

dollars to the Department of Health Services for teaching children in grades five through 12

about the health dangers in illegal substances, tobacco, electronic smoking devices, alcohol,

marihuana, opioids and nonprescription pharmaceuticals (“H2258”, 2019). Due to the

accessibility of narcotics and other illicit substances, it is important to educate children and teens

about the risks of taking these substances. Children should have the opportunity to be safe and

understand what is good versus bad for their health physically and mentally.

Stakeholders
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Stakeholders in this bill include individuals, groups, or other institutions with a financial

interest in - or who are affected by- what happens with the organization, in this case the bill

(Huber, 2018, p. 217). Concerning this bill, stakeholders include members of the Health

Education Account, members of the Department of Health Services, and the children themselves.

The Health Education Account is where money is provided for the education of children in

grades five through twelve, they need to know where the money is needed and whom to provide

it to. Their mission is to develop, establish, and support health-enhancing behaviors for students

in all grade levels (“National Health Education Standards”, 2019). The budget provided every

fiscal year supports The Department of Health Services by prioritizing key investments which

work towards fulfilling patient-centered healthcare, protecting lives, promoting independence,

and supporting effective and efficient management and stewardship (“HHS”, 2019). The

Department of Health Services is another group which is a stakeholder affecting the H2258 bill.

This department provides for effective health and human services by “fostering sound, sustained

advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services” (“HHS”, 2019).

This department receives funds and is supported by other stakeholders in order to work well for

the people they serve. With the help of both organizations, children are provided with necessary

education about the effects of substance abuse, smoking, and illicit drugs. Every organization has

an impact on these children and contributes to the efficacy of this matter.

Positive and Negative Aspects

There are several positive and negative aspects which take place in this bill. Education is

a vital part of prevention and this bill contributes positively in accomplishing this action. Every

child in grades five through twelve is able to hear about the dangers of unsafe use of drugs,

opioids, smoking, and other such substances. By hearing about the effects that these substances
Analysis of U.S. Healthcare Policy 4

have on the individual, children are aware and cautious about involving themselves with these

behaviors. Prevention is key and the bill creates a positive impact by warning and emphasizing

the dangers of such substances. The intentions and the impact of the bill are all positive, however

it would be useful to implement additional information and education about the easy accessibility

and use of E-cigarettes which can be bought online. It is popular among the younger populations

to order E-cigarettes in the form of “vape” or “JUUL” online, where legal age is 18, but online

stores don’t always ask for proof of age (“Vaping: Dangerous, Available & Addicting”, 2020). It

would be beneficial for restrictions or additional education to be provided in regard to the use

and accessibility of these substances.

Factors Impacting Nursing Practice

The legislative and regulatory factors impacting nursing practice and delivery of care

include changes in education and adherence to policy care. Delivery of care has to be in

accordance with the bills and laws presented nationally. Nurses as leaders have an impact on

health care policies, “no longer can the nurse ignore organizational policies or legislative actions,

because these have a direct impact on patient care and the act of delegation” (Huber, 2018, p.

150). The role of the nurse is expanding, this means that the use of delegation appropriately and

collaborative care with the health care team is imperative. Delivery of care is focused on client-

centered care, including contact with insurance companies and other necessary consults with

specialists. There are also financial standards that nurses must meet, to make care effective,

efficient, and accessible.

Addition to the Bill

An addition that I would add to the H2258 bill on “appropriation, alcohol, tobacco, and

drug education” is extra restrictions for individuals who have access to tobacco products online,
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as well as additional education on their harmful effects. It would be most beneficial to ban the

sale of e-cigarettes whatsoever, but this may take more effort and time. Restrictions planned to

be made include “new age-verification standards for online stores selling e-cigarettes and plans

for redoubled enforcement of any e-cigarette marketing directed toward minors” (Loria, 2019).

However, challenges may be faced if children use their parent’s accounts to order online.

Another great proposition would be to add a ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in stores that

don’t have areas prohibiting those under the age of eighteen (Loria, 2019). The addition of new

restrictions with the already made bill would be beneficial for children and would cover all

current aspects of this ongoing topic, resulting in positive client outcomes.

The H2258 bill is a great foundation for educating children on the topic of danger in

alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. With the help of supporting detail, the bill was summarized,

stakeholders were identified, positive and negative aspects were mentioned, legislative,

regulatory, and financial impacts on nursing care were discussed, and an addition to the current

bill was created.

References

HB2258. (2019). Appropriation, alcohol, tobacco, and drug education. Retrieved from

https://www.aznurse.org/page/PPNursesList

HHS Office of the Secretary, Office of Budget, and Ob. “Putting America's Health First.”

HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 20 Feb. 2020,

www.hhs.gov/about/budget/index.html.

Huber, D. (2018). Leadership & nursing care management. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier-Mosby.

Loria, Kevin. “New Restrictions on E-Cigarettes: What You Should Know.” Consumer

Reports, 16 July 2019, www.consumerreports.org/electronic-cigarettes/e-cigarette-

restrictions/.

“National Health Education Standards - SHER.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Mar. 2019,

www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/sher/standards/index.htm.

“Vaping: Dangerous, Available & Addicting.” HealthyChildren.org, 8 Jan. 2020,

www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/substance-abuse/Pages/E-

cigarettes.aspx.
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References

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart,

Lung, and Blood Institute. (2003). Managing asthma: A guide for schools (NIH

Publication No. 02-2650). Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

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