The need to have quality health care for all Americans irrespective of their financial capabilities has forced the government to develop programs that would help achieve this. According to Nemeth (2012), most of the American hospitals have been faced with scenarios where some of their patients fail to pay their medical bills because of their limited financial resources. This has affected their operations, especially those that are funded by the government. The American Hospital Association has therefore come up with a framework that would help improve the health care of American families. This association made a number of recommendations that are focused on improving health care within this country.
This research paper analyzes the framework given by this association and how advanced practice nurses may contribute in achieving the goals. According to Healy (2011), in the framework given by the American Hospital Association, the first article states that no child should be without health care. This means that the association appreciates the fact that health care is one of the basic needs, especially to children below the age of five years. At this stage, children are always vulnerable, and if they are not given proper medical attention, then they can easily succumb even to very simple illness. The second item in this framework emphasizes the need to ensure that all Americans do not suffer from major illnesses or injuries simply because of lack of financial capacity to pay for the medical expenses. As mentioned above, health care is a basic need that every human being needs. It is necessary to ensure that no one is denied health care because he or she cannot afford. This association also appreciates the need to make emergency medical attention to all Americans.
This is very important because it is on record that some patients have perished simply because they could not pay for the emergency medical attention in time. The aging population is another group that deserves to be given quality health care according to this framework. As Shi (2012) notes, the aged are prone to various illnesses, and unless they are given quality health care, they can easily succumb to these illnesses. Like children, some of these aging people lack the capacity to pay for their medications unless they are supported by other able family members. This puts them at risk because unless they get this support, they may not get the needed medication. This framework defines a new approach that can be used to ensure that this group does not entirely depend on their family members.
This framework defines a new approach of health care provision in this country that engages health care users. By involving these stakeholders, it is possible to come up with a more refined approach in the provision of health care in the country. Jansson (2013) says that Advanced Practice Nurses have an active role to play in achieving the goals set in this framework. Their professional service in offering quality health care to anyone who visits their facilities is of paramount importance. They need to work without focusing on one’s financial capacity or any other demographic factors. They can also help in mobilizing stakeholders, especially the health care users to get engaged in defining policies in this sector. This way, it will be possible to come up with policies that would meet their interests adequately.
References
Healy, J. (2011). Improving health care safety and quality: Reluctant regulators. Surrey: Ashgate.
Jansson, B. S. (2013). Improving healthcare through advocacy: A guide for the health and helping professions. Hoboken: Wiley.
Nemeth, C. P. (2012). Improving healthcare team communication: Building on lessons from aviation and aerospace. Aldershotd: Ashgate.
Shi, J. (2012). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.