DorothyMC

Too often in clinical settings, we meet clients at the worst point in their disease progression. Being able to intervene earlier could make a huge difference in their health outcomes and quality of life. As a nursing student, I am beginning to see how healthcare policies, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), can help improve patient care and outcomes. The ACA can help improve access to preventive services and insurance coverage. If clients can access preventive services, screenings, and follow-up care, nurses can help these individuals better manage their conditions earlier. In turn, this may help decrease emergency room visits and hospital costs. Clients who delay care due to cost or lack of coverage may present later with more complex conditions. This is where policy and practice clearly intertwine. The ACA supports earlier intervention through access to screenings, follow-up care, and preventive services, which ultimately improves patient outcomes and reduces strain on the healthcare system. This policy aligns with core nursing values such as patient-centered care, safety, and equity. Barriers to care are often first noticed in clinical practice, which creates a unique opportunity to advocate not only at the bedside, but at a systems level as well. According to Zalon et al. (2024), nurses play a critical role in shaping healthcare policy through leadership and advocacy because they understand both clinical realities and the impact of healthcare decisions. Nurses are not only care providers, but also contributors to shaping the healthcare system through advocacy and leadership. Cleveland et al. (2022) further explain that the ACA can be leveraged by nurses to improve care coordination and quality outcomes. I would love to hear your perspectives on this topic. How do you see the nurse's role in healthcare policy, such as the ACA? How is it impacting your practice or your clients? References: Cleveland, K., Motter, T., Rudsill, P., & Benson, L. (2022). The affordable care act: Considerations for leveraging the power of nursing. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol27No02Man01 Zalon, M. L., Ludwick, R., & Patton, R. M. (2024). Strengthening nurses' influence in health policy. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 124(9), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0001028316.80475.bf