Leave Behind
The AHCA posed a significant risk to public health as it compromised the health insurance coverage of a substantial number of individuals in the United States. Batt et al. (2020) emphasize the significant impact of grassroots engagement and advocacy in resisting the legislation that sought to revoke and substitute the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The anticipated termination of insurance coverage for more than 20 million individuals has sparked serious apprehensions regarding the AHCA’s capacity to undo the progress achieved in enhancing healthcare accessibility and mitigating negative health consequences linked to lack of insurance (Batt et al., 2020). From a nursing standpoint, the act of removing health insurance from a significant portion of the population was deemed undesirable due to its violation of principles related to health promotion and illness prevention. Nurses directly observe the health repercussions of limited access and postponing essential medical care.
Furthermore, the Affordable Care Act (AHCA) posed a potential risk to the accessibility of affordable healthcare for individuals with pre-existing diseases, as it permitted insurers to exclude critical health benefits and impose elevated premiums (Fischer-Mackey et al., 2020). The importance of accountability politics in meeting the demands of disadvantaged groups within public health systems has been emphasized by grassroots health rights defenders in Guatemala (Fischer-Mackey et al., 2020). The act of undermining safeguards for pre-existing conditions can be seen as a lack of responsibility in ensuring fair and equal access. The AHCA breached fundamental principles of justice in healthcare by imposing obstacles for individuals with more severe medical requirements from an ethical perspective. Nursing ethics place a primary emphasis on the promotion of the rights and well-being of all patients, encompassing individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and other marginalized populations (Smith-Frigerio, 2020).
In addition, the AHCA’s significant reductions in Medicaid funding posed a potential threat to millions of individuals being deprived of essential healthcare services and coverage. The analysis conducted by Demko (2020) on public health discussions in Florida revealed that community lobbying played a substantial role in influencing the results of health policy about topics such as medical cannabis and syringe exchange programs. Nurses have the potential to assume a significant advocacy function in promoting knowledge regarding the adverse consequences of eliminating the Medicaid safety net on public health, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations such as low-income families, disabled individuals, and the elderly (Demko, 2020). Nurses provide valuable clinical knowledge that enables them to effectively demonstrate the potential human consequences associated with the dismantling of programs that serve as a final recourse for obtaining healthcare (Smith-Frigerio, 2020).
Understanding the political affiliation of my representative
The lawmaker in question was a member of the Republican party who expressed support for the American Health Care Act (AHCA) during its proposal in 2017 to reinstate and substitute the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Considering my political affiliation and viewpoint, I would adopt a dissenting posture towards the AHCA. As a nurse, I have personally observed the beneficial effects of the ACA in broadening healthcare availability and offering essential safeguards for patients. Based on this clinical experience, it is imperative to highlight three essential aspects that fit with an advocacy position opposing the AHCA and in support of safeguarding and enhancing the ACA.
The anticipated reduction in health insurance coverage for more than 20 million individuals in the United States as a result of the Affordable Care Act (AHCA) has given rise to significant public health apprehensions that demand attention. According to Batt et al. (2020), grassroots action and lobbying played a crucial role in resisting this law, which posed a threat to the progress made in enhancing access and the reach of preventative care. Lack of insurance is linked to the postponement of essential medical care and inferior health results. In my capacity as a nurse, I have personally witnessed the manifestation of these detrimental outcomes within my patient cohorts grappling with chronic illnesses, impairments, or financial impediments to accessing healthcare services.
Furthermore, the act of weakening safeguards for those with pre-existing diseases might be an unethical injustice. The significance of accountability politics and grassroots health rights defense in guaranteeing equitable provision of public health systems to vulnerable groups is underscored by Fischer-Mackey et al. (2020). The AHCA introduced possible obstacles for individuals with more significant medical requirements by permitting insurers to exclude key coverage and impose higher charges based on health status. This action contravened fundamental bioethical tenets of fairness by exhibiting bias toward individuals who are chronically ill, disabled, or have pre-existing conditions. Patient advocacy is a fundamental responsibility within the nursing profession, entailing the duty to actively support and promote the rights and equitable access to healthcare for everyone, irrespective of their health conditions.
Furthermore, implementing significant reductions in funding to dismantle the Medicaid program would have put at risk a crucial safety net that assists numerous low-income families, children, disabled individuals, and elderly folks. Demko (2020) conducted a study that focused on the public health debates in Florida, highlighting the substantial influence of community lobbying on policies such as medical cannabis and syringe exchange laws. From a nursing standpoint, Medicaid plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the accessibility of healthcare treatments and long-term care alternatives that patients urgently need but are unable to purchase through other means. The decision to reduce financing for this crucial public assistance program by more than $800 billion is a significant violation of society’s responsibility to collectively address the fundamental healthcare requirements of its most susceptible individuals. Furthermore, I would provide firsthand accounts from my nursing profession to demonstrate the seriousness of the anticipated effects of the AHCA, in addition to highlighting these three primary issues. As an example, I have provided medical care to individuals without insurance whose health issues were significantly worsened because they postponed treatment due to financial obstacles before being eligible for Medicaid or other insurance options. Narratives depicting instances where patients’ health declines unnecessarily, despite the potential for early intervention to avert complications, serve to emphasize the critical importance of upholding the expansions in coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from a public health standpoint. The absence of health insurance gives rise to tangible human distress.
Likewise, I have observed the difficulties that individuals suffering from chronic ailments such as cancer, heart disease, or impairments encounter in affording the necessary medical treatment and extended care. Insurance serves as a vital safeguard, but it is only effective if it offers extensive coverage without any bias based on pre-existing diseases. Nursing ethics necessitate the practice of patient advocacy in order to protect these essential needs and rights. Nursing’s ethical standards are violated when health policies are pursued that allow insurers to bypass essential benefit criteria or limit coverage based on health conditions.
In addition, Medicaid guarantees the availability of extended care services for a significant number of my older patients, including those residing in nursing facilities. This program is essential for addressing the requirements of older persons with reduced income as they experience frailty. The consequences of reducing Medicaid funding extend beyond mere data on coverage reductions, encompassing tangible human effects such as disrupted continuity of care, untreated medical conditions, and unsustainable demands on family caregivers. Based on the person-centered care approach in nursing, programs such as Medicaid are regarded as a moral obligation within the framework of a societal safety net. According to Smith-Frigerio (2020), grassroots advocacy is by the ethical principles of nursing as it aims to increase awareness regarding potential public health issues that may arise as a result of policy changes.
In essence, my objective is to engage in a productive conversation and demonstrate a respectful comprehension of my representative’s position. However, my opposition to the AHCA is primarily motivated by a commitment to defending the fundamental principles and ethical standards of the nursing profession. As a healthcare professional, I have personally observed the significant impact that affordable and comprehensive health insurance has on both individual lives and the overall welfare of society. Drawing from my nursing background, I am motivated to advocate for policies that advance health equity, safeguard vulnerable populations, and uphold ethical responsibilities by advocating for and delivering care to individuals irrespective of their socioeconomic situation or pre-existing conditions. The nursing philosophy would be compromised if the coverage expansions and patient protections of the ACA were to be dismantled. Although it is apparent that the AHCA had well-intentioned goals to manage expenses, it made significant compromises in terms of healthcare equity and availability, which advocacy efforts must safeguard.
References
Batt, S., Butler, J., Shannon, O., & Fugh-Berman, A. (2020). Pharmaceutical ethics and grassroots activism in the United States: A social history perspective. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 17, 49-60.
Demko, T. Y. (2020). The Politics of Public Health in Florida: Insights from Debates over Medical Cannabis and Needle/Syringe Exchange Legislation (Doctoral dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill).
Fischer-Mackey, J., Batzin, B., Culum, P., & Fox, J. (2020). Rural public health systems and accountability politics: insights from grassroots health rights defenders in Guatemala. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 47(5), 899-926.
Smith-Frigerio, S. (2020). Grassroots mental health groups’ use of advocacy strategies in social media messaging. Qualitative Health Research, 30(14), 2205-2216.
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