Nurses and Health Reforms Essay

Globally, the United States used to spend more on health care services than any other country yet it had poor health status. Despite the considerable amount they spend on health care, a small percentage of the population could access these services leaving the rest of the people in poor health. Due to the poor health quality that was rampant in the US, the government took the initiative of initiating the health care reforms. The primary objective of the health reforms in America was to broaden the population receiving health care coverage through public insurance programs or private sector program (Obama, 2016). The Medicaid bankruptcies in the US affected of 2million people and the high medical costs consume the federal budget what also prompted the reforms I the health sector. The current changes in the healthcare delivery system also significantly affect the healthcare workforce. Unlike in the previous years, a large population in the US can currently gain insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and that has led to increased demand on the healthcare system as well as its workforce. The new health delivery models are based on an interdisciplinary team approach to care due to the reduced need for hospitalization following the current reforms. The changes focus mainly on the population health and its objective to deliver patient-centered care.

The affordable care act of 2010 is the best thing that has happened in the health care system in the United States. This health reform is one of the most crucial pieces of legislation this sector has seen since the mid-20th century (Jakovljevic et al., 2016). Following the high medical cost in the United States, the reforms are expected to lower the expenses hence making it affordable for everybody. According to research, medical bankruptcies in the US affected more than 2 million people in the country as most of them fails to access medical services due to the high costs. Before, the health care cost kept on increasing what threatened to consume the entire federal budget. The healthcare system was dominated by "fee-for-service" payment systems where the healthcare organizations and professionals were penalized for failing to deliver efficient care while those who provided quality care went unrewarded. The ACA brought change to the payment system whereby the policies modified the rates paid to those offering Medicare services and Medicare Advantage and better align them with the actual costs of providing care (Obama, 2016).

Improved quality of care also came as a result of healthcare reforms. In all developed countries, America has the worst healthcare (Obama, 2016). Chronic diseases cause 70% of all deaths in America, and this affects over 45% of its population. The US has the highest number of unhealthy people despite it being a superpower. The changes are expected to change the face of American health care system. Nurses play a critical when it comes to quality services to the patients. Nurses in collaboration with other health workers would provide seamless quality services to the clients (Zboril-Benson, 2016). All these can be achieved when the nurses receive joint nursing and medical school training and continue to practice it in their work settings (Jakovljevic et al., 2016). The reforms should foster inter-professional collaboration to promote quality health in America.

Making insurance coverage for health available and affordable to everyone in the US despite their level of income also came due to the changes in the healthcare system (Obama, 2016). In America, over 25% of the population had little or no insurance to cover their medical bills. More than 100000 people used to die in America yearly since they did not have insurance coverage. Due to lack of medical insurance, most people went for emergency room visit whose average cost was $1250 for non-serious diseases as those with cancer, had to part with 7,000 dollar for the chemotherapy. Medical expenses were enough to finish a person's lifetime savings as others even lost their homes following the hospital bills. Most people could forgo the treatments and also die since they could not afford medication. The reforms have helped even the needy to access insurance hence get medical services whenever they need it without any difficulties. Research has it that children with health insurance usually excel at school and adults are more productive. American people of all ages that have the coverage tend to live long healthy lives. Americans can now count on access to health coverage throughout their lives, and the federal government has an array of tools to bring the rise of health care costs under control (Obama, 2016).

Following the health care reforms, a large number of people can now afford the health coverage leading to increased number of patients. The changes also enable the patients to seek care from medical providers of their choice what makes the nurses play a significant role in the transition process (Obama, 2016). The reforms intended to prevent avoidable readmission of the patients what has expanded the functions of the nurses. Currently, the nurses not only working in the hospital setting but also in post-hospital environments following the changes. Nurses also work in home care and transitional care what makes nurses available everywhere they may be needed. Under these reforms, nurses also ensure that the people are independent and stay healthy at home.

The healthcare reforms have opened various opportunities to the nurses what makes it necessary for the redesigning of the nursing education (Zboril-Benson, 2016). In the past, nurses were required to carry out specific duties within hospitals what has come to change following the ACA policies. Currently, all nurses should have necessary competencies that can meet the demands of a diverse and an aging society. They need to receive clinical training in multiple settings across the lifespan (Zboril-Benson, 2016). Following the current medical system reform, the nurses are charged with several duties whereby they have to do a lot of work than before. The changes even require the advanced practice nurses to be allowed to exercise the full extent of their education and licensure whereby they can provide cost-effective care while addressing the primary care shortages (Obama, 2016). Their primary care services are necessary especially at this point when the number of people seeking medical help has highly increased.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the healthcare reforms came with many advantages not only to improve the health of Americans but also improve the economy. The federal bankruptcies that the country suffered due to high medical cost were cut off following the policies of ACA of 2010. The Americans can now access medication at a low price where everyone can now seek remedy regardless his/her social class. The mortality rate due to lack of medical cover has reduced what has made health status in the country better than before. While thinking of healthcare, it right to remember that the nurses are involved in the direct care of the patients putting them in the frontline of care. Following the involvement in the patients care, the nurses' role is also primarily affected by these reforms, and they stand to be beneficiaries. The changes seem to favor them in several ways since many opportunities are created for them.

References

Jakovljevic, M., Vukovic, M., Chen, C. C., Antunovic, M., Dragojevic-Simic, V., Velickovic-Radovanovic, R. ... & Antunovic, M. (2016). Do health reforms impact cost consciousness of healthcare professionals? Results from a nation-wide survey in the Balkans. Balkan medical journal, 33(1), 8.

Obama, B. (2016). The United States health care reform: progress to date and next steps. Jama, 316(5), 525-532.

Zboril-Benson, L. R. (2016). Why nurses are calling in sick: the impact of health-care restructuring. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research Archive, 33(4).