Nurses' role in financing healthcare

[umichnurse]

Hi everyone,

I am taking this policy and politics in nursing class this semester and learning about nurses' roles at the policymaking level.

We have a discussion this week, about what nurses' role are at the local, state, and even FEDERAL level in healthcare financing. Do you have any idea about State and Federal one that you could think of? At the state level, you could talk to the legislature about financing health care, which affects care that patients receive. Also, what changes needed to be done at the unit, state, and federal level if there are any, or what are the challenges in this current healthcare reform for nurses?

I read some chapters related to these questions, but couldn't think of much things. I need your help!

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I've read your post here a couple of times. Stumbling a bit regarding the financial aspect of healthcare.

I do know nurses have testified before Congress on issues like safe staffing, which can impact financial areas. Nursing organizations have mandated for staffing ratios using supporting data that improved RN ratios can lead to improved patient outcomes. I know some nursing organizations were also involved in the push for government mandated healthcare, supporting the idea that too many patients are using ED's for primary care managment. The idea being if healthcare is offered for everyone, overall cost would go down. (Not a philosophy I personally agree with but I know the discussion has taken place.)

I'm not sure though, by your post what you mean by "financial". Are you supposed to reference budget issues of facilities? Or are you looking at issues like how improved access will allegedly help bring the cost of healthcare down?

I'd recommend doing a bit of research via Google once you narrow down the parameters. The CNA has a bit of information on their website regarding health care reform. And I believe the ANA has positions posted on their website as well.

If you are supposed to look at how the current healthcare reform movement will affect how nurses provide care, the New York Times recently had an article on the move for NP's to have greater responsibility in providing primary care as fewer medical school students are looking at becoming primary care providers. There is a HUGE debate right now, as the AMA is spending a lot of money slamming NP's saying they can't provide safe, unsupervised care in the primary care setting. AMA & Anesthesiologists are also coming out against CRNA's , saying they can only provide safe care if they are supervised. Really hot button topic right now.

Again, I think you need to clarify the parameters of the search you need to make. Lots of articles out there on both these topics and some recent research has been released stating APN's can provide quality care. You know the AMA has to have their panties in a twist by the amount of money they are spending on a PR campaign to say the contrary.

[umichnurse]

I think that financing in health care covers the whole concepts including the budget issues, why we have budget issues, where this healthcare reform is going, what nurses and physicians think about the issue, how the insurance companies work and how the APNs are reimbursed, the nursing shortage issue, etc. EVERYTHING. BUt thanks for your post, that really helped me to navigate some ideas!!