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 ASSIGNMENT—- THE PRACTICAL ROLE OF POLICY 

What has health policy done for me lately?

Developing health care policy is often an exercise in balancing competing interests, many of them political. Policy is often the product of elaborate negotiations between many interested parties. It is sometimes difficult for individuals to see the connection between health care policies and their own personal health. In short, people ask, “What does health policy mean to me?”

This Application will give you an opportunity to delve a little deeper into the practical role of policy, by examining a health policy issue that is of particular interest to you.

To prepare for this Application, select an acute or chronic health issue (such as motorcycle accident-related head trauma or type 2 diabetes) that is of interest to you. Using the Walden Library and credible websites, research this issue to analyze a key policy related to the health issue you selected. Select at least three articles about the policy to use in your paper.

To complete this Application, write a 3- to 4-page paper that addresses the following:

• Describe the health care issue you selected. Explain why this issue is important, in terms of access, affordability, quality, and safety.
• Identify a health policy that is related to the health issue you selected. Explain its intended purpose and indicate the source of the policy (i.e., state law, federal law, accreditation organization, etc.)
• Cite and summarize the articles you selected.
• Analyze what the literature says about the impact of the policy, in terms of cost, affordability, access, quality, and safety.

Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources, as appropriate. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure your in-text citations and reference list are correct.

RESOURCES_______

Current Issues in Healthcare Policy and Practice
Chapter 2, “Cost, Access, and Quality” (pp. 45–76 through “Current Indicators of Access”)The cost of health care, access to it, and the quality of the care are often related to one another in a reciprocal and interactive way. This chapter establishes a foundation for understanding health care costs and how those costs are directly related to access and quality. You will finish this chapter in next week’s reading.

Health Politics, Policy, and Practice
Chapter 5, “Medicare: The Great Transformation”Along with Medicaid and Social Security, Medicare is one of the three largest Federal entitlement programs. It is relied upon by millions of American citizens. This chapter looks at the history of this important program and how the politics influence the benefits and operation of this mammoth government program.
Chapter 6, “Medicaid: Health Care for You and Me?”This chapter presents an overview of the Medicaid program, looks at how it has evolved over the years, and considers where it might be going. It presents three commonly held myths about Medicaid.

Goldsmith, J. (2010). Analyzing shifts in economic risks to providers in proposed payment and delivery system reforms. Health Affairs, 29(7), 1299–1304. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=2089628041&sid=6&Fmt=3&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD

The unbridled growth of health care costs has been, and continues to be, a significant factor fueling the push for health care reform. This article analyzes some of the cost-containment models that are currently under consideration and assesses the feasibility of their implementation. 

Rosenthal, E., Brownstein, J., Rush, C., Hirsch, G., Willaert, A., Scott, J., et al. (2010). Community health workers: part of the solution. Health Affairs, 29(7), 1338–1342. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=2089628121&sid=9&Fmt=3&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD

This article examines the contribution that community-health workers could make to cost reduction, access expansion, and quality improvement of Medicaid and health care, in general.

Heathcare.gov. (n.d.). Understanding the affordable care act. Retrieved October 18, 2010, from http://www.healthcare.gov/law

This web page presents various elements to provide an overview of the Affordable Care Act. Signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010.

Optional Resources

“Health Care Reform” (PBS.org)
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/health-care-reform/

Current Issues in Healthcare Policy and Practice
Chapter 9, “Long-Term Care Reimbursement”

Kristof, N. D. (2010). Access, access, access: [Op-Ed]. The New York Times (Late Edition), A31. Retrieved from http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1985614601&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD