The role of healthcare policy in healthcare

The content covered in the last 15 weeks has been vital in improving my knowledge of healthcare policy and politics. The course has provided me with an in-depth understanding of the importance of healthcare policy and politics in the improvement of the health of diverse populations by addressing issues related to access to care, health policy-making, and disparities in healthcare.

The role of healthcare policy in healthcare delivery cannot be overstated. During the course, it was established that healthcare policies determine how healthcare systems operate by influencing the approaches adopted by different healthcare systems, which determines how healthcare is organized and financed (Patel & Rushefsky, 2019). This determines the accessibility and affordability of care as healthcare systems that adopt a universal approach operate differently from those that adopt a market-driven approach. Moreover, policy reforms are necessary to improve healthcare delivery and address issues affecting care delivery. Affordable Care Act was designed to improve accessibility and affordability of care and contains various components that can contribute to the reduction of healthcare costs (Fitzgerald et al., 2017).

For nurses to be effectively involved in healthcare politics, they need to understand the strategies that can be utilized to influence Congress members and the social, ethical, and economic reasons that should influence various decisions. During the course, we addressed how advocacy relates to policy and politics and how they influence health care and human health. The involvement of nurses in health policy issues was also discussed as they are well-positioned to reform healthcare by reducing healthcare costs and promoting population health (Rosa et al., 2020). Nurses should be at the forefront of addressing issues affecting healthcare delivery including accessibility problems related to healthcare disparities as disadvantaged populations need to be advocated for. Some of the healthcare disparities can be addressed through policy changes.

Mentors were helpful during the course as they used their advanced knowledge and experience to guide us through informative discussions and by creating a conducive learning environment. Mentors provided both motivation and inspiration that will go a long way in shaping my practice and career. They helped me relate theoretical knowledge with practical knowledge and understand the opportunities that exist in the nursing profession that can be utilized to advance my career. Their guidance sharpened my critical thinking skills as I was always challenged to do comprehensive research on all the concepts covered to deepen my understanding.

200 words and two (2) scholarly references