Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Nursing Practice
The state law Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, adopted in 2010, defines rather significant changes in the American health policy (United States Congress House Committee on Health Care, 2010). Among those changes that occurred as a result of its introduction, was a complete alteration of the conditions of medical insurance for citizens, as well as the availability of medical care. This mandate also has some influence on me, as on an advanced practice nurse.
For example, the responsibility of junior medical personnel is to care for all patients without exception, who fall under different health insurance programs and apply for help. Perhaps, this task increases the scope of work to some extent. However, according to the current circumstances, nurses need to adapt to these conditions and meet the requirements that the state imposes on medical workers. There is a key challenge that many health employees will have to face. According to the Act, very few citizens have left uninsured (United States Congress House Committee on Health Care, 2010). Consequently, the shortage of medical professionals will be observed, and the quality of assistance may be worse than before. Nevertheless, the results of the conducted work and the quality of care are usually checked by the authorities, which monitor an employee’s performance, as well as the level of qualification and professionalism. It further stimulates a nurse to work well and provide patients with all the necessary assistance and support.
Besides, it may happen that in the course of such work under the law, nurses will face some difficulties caused by the full availability of medical services for the population, for instance, a large flow of patients who need care. Nevertheless, the duties of junior staff include assistance to all those in need. Therefore, all the employees can hone their professional skills and prove to the management of their competence and sufficient qualification.
Participation in the Change of the Current State Medical Policy
While planning to work as a nurse in Florida, I studied the state’s policy on access to contraception and abortion for women with and without health insurance. After analyzing the situation, I can say that according to the Affordable Care Act, absolutely all women in the state are guaranteed admission to medical services (United States Congress House Committee on Health Care, 2010). Health insurance has become more affordable, which has a significant impact on the mortality rate of infants and mothers in the region. According to statistical data, these indicators decreased after the adoption of this law (Goldstein, Trachtenberg, Sens, Harty, & Kinney, 2016). It allows saying that the state’s policies on access to contraception and abortion have undergone significant changes for the better. Women are aware of all the risks they can face. They may safely take part in medical examinations, which positively influences the condition of mothers and their children and contributes to population growth.
It is possible to achieve a particular impact on a specific situation in the health care system, working as an advanced practice nurse and a nurse leader. For example, there is an MSN Essential that involves creating and managing collaborative interprofessional care groups. Participation in such a program can contribute to a better quality of medical services. Joint work and discussion of important issues within such communities help to develop the professional competence of nurses and allows to some extent influencing the current situation (Fowler & Jones, 2015). If this method is introduced into the sphere of contraception and abortion, it will be possible to organize special courses for women experiencing problems and improve the situation in a particular region together. The same measures may be taken on a federal level to reduce the risk of mortality among infants and their mothers.
References
Fowler, D. R., & Jones, D. J. (2015). Professional presentation skills development in a graduate nursing program. Journal of Nursing Education, 54(12), 708-711.
Goldstein, R., Trachtenberg, F. L., Sens, M. A., Harty, B. J., & Kinney, H. C., (2016). Overall postneonatal mortality and rates of SIDS. Pediatrics, 137(1), 31-42.
United States Congress House Committee on Health Care. (2010). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Senate and House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, March 23, 2010. Washington, DC: President of the United States of America.