Navigate 2 Scenario – Going from Policy to Law (Episode 2) 

Overview of Scenario

You are an intern working with the Senator’s team to get the bill (based on the policy created in Episode 1 for the Navigate 2 Scenario) passed. You must follow the legislative process to select committees, identify stakeholders, communicate with health care providers about their role, and identify key departments who will be responsible if the bill is passed.  Within this virtual scenario, you will need to apply concepts such as how others influence the process, for example, health care providers who write letters, telephone and make personal visits to senator’s office.  You should understand that this is the responsibility of a health care professional.  Also, you must be able to articulate why the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the agency chosen to implement the law and develop the regulations, what the regulations are, and why they are important.

Assessment

You will create a recommendation where you will recommend a committee, identify general stakeholders, and identify responsible departments. Your recommendation will be posted in this discussion board forum. You must also respond to 2 of your peers’ posts and make sure to reference any outside sources you may have used in your recommendation.

Learning Outcomes Addressed in this virtual scenario.

• Examine the various applications of the law within the health care system.
• Analyze how such various applications of the law affect decisions in the development and operation of a health care organization.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in health care policy, law, and ethics.

Characters from this Navigate 2 Scenario scenario:

The Student (You), Health Care Policy Intern for Congress

The student used to work within the Bright Road Health Care System, and had a special interest in policy. The student is thinking about moving into politics, hoping to make a difference at that level. The student has just been accepted into the internship; this is the student’s first big project.

Peter Shackley, Senior Policy Staff Member

The student’s mentor, Peter, is a young and feisty staff member. In his late 20s, Pete has been interested in politics since he was President of his high school student body. He’s especially passionate about policy-making and how the process works. Pete will help guide the student through the policy-making process.

Quinn Smith, Chairman of the Board of Bright Road Health Care System

Quinn is in his 50s. In his capacity, Quinn takes on the responsibility for corporate governance, capital formation, setting the company’s operating strategy, and guiding it to profitability. The student will work with Quinn to determine how the bill and policy may impact the operations of the Health Care System. (good as he is a stakeholder at state level)

Timothy Kohl, Staff member at DHHS

Timothy is in his mid-50s, and has been with DHHS for more than 20 years. His main focus is health policy. Timothy consults with staff in various departments and agencies to work out how health care law should be written and then implemented.

#1 Peer Comment Please Respond to this comment:

Committee Recommendations

The committee members for this legislation should be made up of the following groups to ensure a well-rounded piece of legislation is proposed and can be successfully implemented and regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Bright Road Hospital System, as a large hospital system they are a significant stakeholder, has an interest for ensuring reasonable legislation is proposed. The bill needs to be clinically, operationally, and fiscally reasonable for hospitals to be able to successfully implement the regulations.
• American Nurses Association (ANA) represents the 4 million registered nurses in the United States and is the strongest voice of the profession (American Nurses Association, 2019). Their input in the design of the legislation is vital from a quality standpoint. They are the frontline of healthcare and the ANA advocates for high standards, safe and ethical work environments.
• EMILY’s List is a pro-democratic organization that focuses on diversity and inclusion for Democratic congresswomen. Their mission statement includes ‘creating a space where people are valued regardless of sex, age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, national origin or religious affiliation’ (EMILY’s List, 2019). These values will ensure patient’s rights taken into consideration for safety, privacy, transparency.
• American Hospital Association (AHA) represents almost 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, and other providers (American Hospital Association, 2019). They well ensure, along with Bright Road, that the hospital perspectives are taken into consideration as the legislation is developed.
• America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is a national association of insurance carriers who cover millions of Americans with not only commercial insurance but also Medical Advantage plans (America’s Health Insurance Plans, 2019). They will ensure the bill does not add unnecessary costs to the healthcare process and at the same time want to ensure high quality care to reduce overall health expenses.

The Department of Health and Human Services will have the ultimate responsibility for writing the regulations that implement the final law and the long-term over-sight. But with the well-rounded group of committee members above that represent the providers, nurses, patients, and payers a very manageable piece of legislation should be able to be drafted.

References

American Hospital Association. (2019, November 29). Abouth the AHA. Retrieved from American Hospital Association: https://www.aha.org/about

American Nurses Association. (2019, November 29). About ANA. Retrieved from American Nusrses Association: https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/

America’s Health Insurance Plans. (2019, November 29). About. Retrieved from AHIP: https://www.ahip.org/about-us/

EMILY’s List. (2019, November 29). Mission & Vission. Retrieved from EMILY’s List: https://www.emilyslist.org/pages/entry/our-mission

#2 Peer Review 

To: Senator Powers, Peter Shackley

Subject: Policy Committee Recommendation

                Good afternoon. I’m writing regarding the policy committee recommendation. After speaking with key stakeholders, the initial make up of this group has been identified. The recommendation is to form a committee comprised of American Nurses Association, EMILY’s List, WISH List, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, National Medical Association and American Hospital Association. Additionally, we have members from the Board of Bright Road Health Care System, insurance lobby representation and Department of Health and Human Services. These groups in addition to some additional doctors and patients will ensure the voice of various groups are heard.

                The purpose of involving these groups are as follows; the American Nurses Association would ensure we have a great involvement of our nurses. If they help shape the law then they will have buy-in, can help support it, and can further help transition the implementation so our hospitals understand it. If we involve EMILY’s List and WISH List then we will have support of our women from both political parties and the majority of nurses in healthcare are female. The American Hospital Association can help involve our hospital administration. Their assistance can ensure the wording is clear, flexible and transparent. So that hospitals can understand the law and how to follow it. Speaking of implementation, that is why DHHS is a key stakeholder group to ensure we can implement this policy effectively since they will be enforcing / regulating it after the policy becomes law.

            The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and National Medical Association represent additional professionals and ethnic diversity to ensure additional parties have a voice in shaping our healthcare future. A diversity of thought could really help us think outside of the box on this policy and be one step ahead to ensuring the scope and details of the law are inclusive. Insurance lobby representation will be helpful to have as this policy change and reimbursement will influence everyone including insurance companies. Last, but most important will be including the voice of our patients and community. To do so we will have members from the National Patient Advocate Foundation on the Committee to bring patient voices into this important health care bill.

Looking forward to meeting with you to discuss this Committee recommendation.