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• How do you judge Palin’s quote? [“And who will suffer the most when they ration care? Effective strategy to oppose Democrats’ plans for health care reform or unethical scaremongering?

Palin’s quote was not only inaccurate, it could be said it was a scare tactic.  For those relying on politicians to define changes, especially as they relate to a lengthy new health care act, I view it as a scare tactic to sway voters against the ACA.  Nowhere in the ACA or AHCA does it enforce a “death panel” (Mason et. al., 2016). This quote from a politician is why it is so important for nurses to understand politics in health care and provide accurate, unbiased, and honest information.

• Reflect on what informs your judgment: commitment to advance care planning, analysis of facts, and/or political party loyalties?

When it comes to my judgement, research and understanding of the facts are key.  Had I simply listened to Palin, I would not have understood the changes in health care the ACA implemented.  Although far from perfect, this act did increase the number of Americans with health coverage to 20 million people and seeks to provide better health promotion, allowing nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and licensure (Collins, 2018).

• Is it right for nurses to endorse health reform legislation even if the legislation is not perfect? Does this apply to the recently failed American Health Care Act?

Few things in life are truly perfect.  As a nurse, I have learned you simply cannot make everyone happy and that applies to healthcare.  Nurses should seek to endorse healthcare policies that allow them to practice as nurses; teaching patients to be as independently healthy as possible.  This certainly applies to the failed AHCA.  Again, the debate is not over universal health coverage, but as to who should pay for it.  Nurses have identified the need for access to health care since the beginning of time.  Advocating and endorsing legislative that is supportive of this idea should be the nurses priority.