Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Health-related Bill Name	Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019
Bill Number	S. 1895
Description	Introduced and sponsored by Senior Senator for Tennessee on 19th June 2019, the bill seeks to reduce health care costs through targeting health care coverage and services. It introduces cost-sharing approach for certain emergency and non-emergency services, and prohibits medical practitioners and facilities from billing above the recommended rates. In addition, it limits the pharmacy charges, establishes grant programs, and advocates for information dissemination. Besides that, it seeks to increase the minimum age of purchasing tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years (GovTrack, 2020).
Federal or State?	Federal…

Assignment: Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.

To Prepare:

Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Comparison Grid; 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Is it receiving press coverage? Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
Recommend at least one amendment to the bill in support of your position.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.

 

Required Readings

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 

Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)

Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 180–183 only)

Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/

 

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T. (2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2017.05.003

 

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

 

United States House of Representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.house.gov/

 

United States Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/

 

United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 115th Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

 

Document: Legislation Comparison Grid Template (Word document)

 

 

Legislation Comparison Grid Template

Legislation Comparison Grid Template

 

Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

 

 

Health-related Bill Name
Bill Number
Description
Federal or State?
Legislative Intent	Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents:
	Opponents:
Target Population
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?)
General Notes/Comments

 

 

_Assignment_Rubric

• Grid View
• List View

		Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Federal and State Legislation Part 1: Legislation Comparison Grid Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Comparison Grid Template. Be sure to address the following: • Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed. • Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill. • Identify the target populations addressed by the bill. • Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees? • Is it receiving press coverage?		32 (32%) – 35 (35%) The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement	28 (28%) – 31 (31%) The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.	25 (25%) – 27 (27%) The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.	0 (0%) – 24 (24%) Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing. Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Advocating for Legislation Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1- to 2-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following: • Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position. • Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples. • Recommend at least one amendment to the bill in support of your position.		45 (45%) – 50 (50%) Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill. Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples. A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided. The response accurately and thoroughly recommends at least one amendment to the bill that fully supports the position.	40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill. Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example. An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement The response accurately recommends at least one amendment to the bill that may support the position.	35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate. A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided. The recommendation of an amendment to the bill in support of the position is inaccurate or incomplete.	0 (0%) – 34 (34%) Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing. Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided. The recommendation of an amendment to the bill in support of the position is inaccurate and incomplete, or is missing.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.		5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation		5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.		5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct APA format with no errors.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100 Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Name: NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric

 

Legislation Comparison Grid Template

Legislation Comparison Grid Template

 

Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

 

 

Health-related Bill Name	Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019
Bill Number	S. 1895
Description	Introduced and sponsored by Senior Senator for Tennessee on 19th June 2019, the bill seeks to reduce health care costs through targeting health care coverage and services. It introduces cost-sharing approach for certain emergency and non-emergency services, and prohibits medical practitioners and facilities from billing above the recommended rates. In addition, it limits the pharmacy charges, establishes grant programs, and advocates for information dissemination Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement. Besides that, it seeks to increase the minimum age of purchasing tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years (GovTrack, 2020).
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The bill has the intention of reducing health care costs through targeting six specific cost containment measures. Firstly, it introduces a cost sharing requirements for in-network and out-of-networks with specified rates thus ensuring that medical services are accessible at affordable prices. Secondly, it expedites drug approvals, particularly generics and biosimilars thus ensuring that cheaper drugs are availed. Thirdly, it demands accountability at billing with all charges itemized. Fourthly, it limits pharmacy charges/prices. Fifthly, it establishes grant programs. Sixthly, it requires that insurers provide comprehensive information on their costs. In addition, the legislation seeks to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 years to 21 years (GovTrack, 2020).
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: Patients and health advocates who seek to make health care more accessible through reducing costs.
	Opponents: Health care providers, insurers and tobacco industry whose profit margins may be negatively impacted. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Target Population	The target population is persons from low income households. The bill reduces health care costs thus making care more accessible. In addition, it targets adolescents and young adults through raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products thus reducing use of such products among the age group.
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees? Is it receiving press coverage?)	The bill was introduced on 19th June 2019 for discussion by the Senate Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee. They were moved past the committee stage then sent to the House and Senate on 26th June 2019 and are yet to be discussed and passed (GovTrack, 2020).
General Notes/Comments	The bill takes a proactive approach in protecting patients against exploration. It ensures that the costs of medical services are controlled and that patients are aware of what they are paying for and can even conduct cost comparisons to identify where to get the lower costs. The issue of hidden costs is eliminated. In addition, the bill raises the minimum age of purchasing tobacco products thus improving the health of the targeted population (GovTrack, 2020). Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

 

Part 2. Legislation testimony/advocacy statement

The bill takes an important step is public health through addressing two agendas. The first agenda it addressing is reducing health care costs through eliminating the price controls that health care providers enjoy, and that allows them to exploit patients. It acknowledges that providers have enjoyed independence in setting prices (a hallmark of capitalism), but that this has allowed them to exploit patients. Through setting price caps and introducing cost sharing, the charges that patients incur can be minimized. It specifically targets medical facilities and practitioners through introducing cost sharing rates. In addition, it targets pharmacy services through limiting prices. Besides that, it targets health insurers through demanding transparency thus allowing patients to compare prices and get the best value for their money Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement. Also, it enables federal funds to be spent on grant programs to support data modernization and vaccination. These are all programs that have significant effects on lowering health care costs. Additionally, the bill helps to address population health concerns through raising the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products with the expectation that smoking incidences among the target group will be considerably reduced (Black, 2019).

Opponents of the legislation could argue that the legislation exerts undue control over the health care industry by restraining market practice. Although business entities should be allowed to freely practice, the legislature has the responsibility of protecting the public against exploitation. The current practices allow the health care industry to reap high profits without concern for patients. Through the controls introduces by the legislation, the industry would still report modest profits while ensuring that persons from low income households can accessed lower priced medical services (Black, 2016) Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.

Also, opponents in the tobacco industry could argue that the legislation unfairly targets them since it only controls purchase behavior but does not control use age. Proponents could present the counterargument that although the legislation does not control use, it controls access so that teenagers and young adults find it harder to access tobacco products so that their use is minimized (Milstead & Short, 2019).

There is a need to amend the legislation to include provisions that restrict tobacco products use among adolescents and young adults. It is not enough to restructure purchase access as the targeted age group could still access tobacco products through proxies. The control would be more effective by limiting the use age (Black, 2016).

References

Black, B. (2016). Professional nursing-e-book: concepts & challenges. New York, NY: Elsevier Health Sciences.

GovTrack (2020). S. 1895 — 116th Congress: Lower Health Care Costs Act. Retrieved from https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s1895

Milstead, J. A. & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: a nurse’s guide (6^th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Legislation Comparison Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement.