Assignment: Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief
It may seem to you that healthcare has been a national topic of debate among political leaders for as long as you can remember.
Healthcare has been a policy item and a topic of debate not only in recent times but as far back as the administration of the second U.S. president, John Adams. In 1798, Adams signed legislation requiring that 20 cents per month of a sailor’s paycheck be set aside for covering their medical bills. This represented the first major piece of U.S. healthcare legislation, and the topic of healthcare has been woven into presidential agendas and political debate ever since.
As a healthcare professional, you may be called upon to provide expertise, guidance and/or opinions on healthcare matters as they are debated for inclusion into new policy. You may also be involved in planning new organizational policy and responses to changes in legislation. For all of these reasons you should be prepared to speak to national healthcare issues making the news.
In this Assignment, you will analyze recent presidential healthcare agendas. You also will prepare a fact sheet to communicate the importance of a healthcare issue and the impact on this issue of recent or proposed policy. As a healthcare professional, you may be asked to provide expertise, guidance, and/or opinions on healthcare issues that are being debated for inclusion in new policy. You may also be involved in the development of new organizational policies and responses to legislative changes. For all of these reasons, you should be prepared to discuss national healthcare issues that are making headlines.
You will examine recent presidential healthcare agendas in this Assignment. You will also create a fact sheet to communicate the significance of a healthcare issue and the impact of recent or proposed policy on this issue.
To Prepare:
• Review the agenda priorities of the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations.
• Select an issue related to healthcare that was addressed by each of the last three U.S. presidential administrations.
• Reflect on the focus of their respective agendas, including the allocation of financial resources for addressing the healthcare issue you selected.
• Consider how you would communicate the importance of a healthcare issue to a legislator/policymaker or a member of their staff for inclusion on an agenda.
The Assignment: (1-page Comparison Grid, 1-Page Analysis, and 1-page Fact Sheet)
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid
Use the Agenda Comparison Grid Template found in the Learning Resources and complete the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid based on the current/sitting U.S. president and the two previous presidential administrations and their agendas related to the public health concern you selected. Be sure to address the following:
• Identify and provide a brief description of the population health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it.
• Describe the administrative agenda focus related to the issue you selected.
• Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue.
• Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue.
Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis
Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid on the template, complete the Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis portion of the template, by addressing the following:
• Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected?
• How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents? How does it stay there?
• Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents?
• At least 2 outside and 2-3 course resources are used.
Part 3: Narrative
Using the information recorded on the template in Parts 1 and 2, develop a 1-page narrative that you could use to communicate with a policymaker/legislator or a member of their staff for this healthcare issue. Be sure to address the following:
• Summarize why this healthcare issue is important and should be included in the agenda for legislation.
• Justify the role of the nurse in agenda setting for healthcare issues.
• At least 3 resources are used.
Required Readings
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Chapter 1, “Informing Public Policy: An Important Role for Registered Nurses” (pp. 11–13 only)
• Chapter 2, “Agenda Setting: What Rises to a Policymaker’s Attention?” (pp. 17–36)
• Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 171–180)
• Chapter 12, “An Insider’s Guide to Engaging in Policy Activities”
o “Creating a Fact Sheet” (pp. 217-221)
DeMarco, R., & Tufts, K. A. (2014). The mechanics of writing a policy brief. Nursing Outlook, 62(3), 219–224. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2014.04.002
Kingdon, J.W. (2001). A model of agenda-setting with applications. Law Review M.S.U.-D.C.L., 2(331)
Lamb, G., Newhouse, R., Beverly, C., Toney, D. A., Cropley, S., Weaver, C. A., Kurtzman, E., … Peterson, C. (2015). Policy agenda for nurse-led care coordination. Nursing Outlook, 63(4), 521–530. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2015.06.003.
O’Rourke, N. C., Crawford, S. L., Morris, N. S., & Pulcini, J. (2017). Political efficacy and participation of nurse practitioners. Policy, Politics, and Nursing Practice, 18(3), 135–148. doi:10.1177/1527154417728514
Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Enhancing Environmental Health Content in Nursing Practice, Pope, A. M., Snyder, M. A., & Mood, L. H. (Eds.). (n.d.). Nursing health, & environment: Strengthening the relationship to improve the public’s health.
USA.gov. (n.d.). A-Z index of U.S. government departments and agencies. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/a
USA.gov. (n.d.). Executive departments. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.usa.gov/executive-departments
The White House. (n.d.). The cabinet. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-trump-administration/the-cabinet/
Title
First Name Last Name
Walden University
Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health
NURS 6050
Date
Title of Paper
(add an introduction in this space)
Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief Assignment Template for Part 1 and Part 2
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid
Use this Agenda Comparison Grid to document information about the population health/healthcare issue your selected and the presidential agendas. By completing this grid, you will develop a more in depth understanding of your selected issue and how you might position it politically based on the presidential agendas.
You will use the information in the Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid to complete the remaining Part 2 and Part 3 of your Assignment. Use this Agenda Comparison Grid to record information about the population health/healthcare issue you’ve chosen as well as the presidential agendas. By completing this grid, you will gain a better understanding of your chosen issue and how you might position it politically in light of presidential agendas.
Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid information will be used to complete the remaining Parts 2 and 3 of your Assignment.
Identify the Population Health concern you selected.
Describe the Population Health concern you selected and the factors that contribute to it.
Administration (President Name) President Trump President Obama President Bush
Describe the administrative agenda focus related to this issue for the current and two previous presidents.
Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue.
Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue.
Part 2: Agenda Comparison Grid Analysis
Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid, complete the following to document information about the population health/healthcare issue your selected
Administration (President Name) President Trump President Obama President Bush
Which administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected?
How do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents? How does it stay there?
Who would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents?
Narrative with the Facts
Conclusion
References
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Sample Notes
Policy and Advocacy for Improving Population Health
NURS 6050
Part 1: Comparison Grid for Agendas
Determine the Population Health concern you chose.
Obesity
Describe the Population Health issue you chose, as well as the factors that contribute to it.
Obesity is a complex health problem characterized by an excess of body fat. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are all increased risks due to the complex health issue. Genetics, overeating, physical inactivity, a diet high in simple carbohydrates, hypothyroidism, and frequency of eating are all risk factors for the disease. Because the condition is more common among Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks, ethnicity is a major factor. Obesity is more common in people with college degrees and higher incomes. Body mass index is used to assess obesity (BMI). Obesity is defined as a BMI greater than 30. According to the 2018 health and financial report, the estimated health expenditure for obesity in America is approximately $190 billion, or 21 percent of total medical expenditure.
Administration (President Name) (President Name)
President Trump President Barack Obama
President George W. Bush
Describe the current and two previous presidents’ administrative agenda focus on this issue.
The Trump administration urged the public to stay physically fit in order to maintain overall body health. According to White House reports (2017), the president encouraged people to find a sport in which they could participate in order to achieve the goals of an active lifestyle.
President Obama launched a campaign with a signature song called ‘Let’s Move.’ The campaign’s goal was to encourage Americans to live an active lifestyle (Thomson & Carman, 2015). The First Lady-led initiative aimed to combat childhood obesity (White House, 2018). According to White House reports (2018), the program’s goal was to provide families with critical information that could improve their children’s health (Thomson & Carman, 2015). For example, the First Lady insisted on healthy eating and exercise.
The Bush administration was outspoken in its opposition to America’s obesity program. The president launched the Healthier America Initiative (Kreig et al., 2019). The goal of the initiative was to improve personal fitness. It urged Americans to be physically active, eat nutritious foods, get regular screenings, and avoid unhealthy lifestyles (Kreig et al., 2019).
Determine the financial and other resources allotted to this issue by the current and two previous presidents.
The Trump administration allocated $500 million in 2018 as part of the American Health Grant (White House, 2019). The budget’s goal was to implement flexible interventions and address the underlying causes affecting vulnerable populations (White House, 2019).
Some of the interventions aimed to educate the public on the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle. The allocation could help with diseases like heart disease.
The Obama administration set aside $400 million in the 2011 fiscal year to Help grocery and convenience stores in various regions in providing healthier food options (Singleton et al., 2017). In addressing the health issue, the Healthy Food Financing Initiative was critical.
In 2011, the Obama administration increased funding for the Farmers Market Promotion Program by $5 million to provide grants to farmers and improve their access to ready markets for their products (Singleton et al., 2017).
In the fiscal year 2004, the Bush administration allocated $35.7 million to address the health issue (Kreig et al., 2019). The program included 22 programs designed to engage communities in addressing the health issue. According to Infection Control Today health reports from 2004, the 12 programs that received funding in 2003 received additional funding in the fiscal year 2004. (Kreig et al., 2019).
Explain how each presidential administration handled the issue.
President Trump addressed the issue by declaring March to be National Fitness and Sports Month. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, the month of May was chosen (White House, 2019).
The Obama administration launched a fitness program. The program, led by Mitchell Obama, was dubbed ‘Let’s Move’ (Singleton et al., 2017).
President Bush launched the Healthier U.S. program in 2002 to advocate for the health and fitness of all Americans (Kreig et al., 2019).
Part 2: Analysis of the Agenda Comparison Grid
Complete the following to document information about the population health/healthcare issue your selected Administration is dealing with, using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid (President Name)
Presidents Trump, Obama, and Bush
Which administrative agency is most likely to Help you in addressing the healthcare issue you chose?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institute of Health, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (Pan et al., 2016).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration, National Institute of Health, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (Pan et al., 2016).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute of Health (Pan et al., 2016).
How do you think your chosen healthcare issue will be addressed by the current and two previous presidents? What keeps it there?
Obesity is a national problem that must be addressed by the federal government. The issue is on the agenda of both the current and previous presidents because it involves a significant expenditure of nearly 21% of the national health budget. The government must continue to fight the problem.
The health issue must have been on the agendas of both the Obama and Bush administrations. The reason for this is that obesity causes other health problems, which increase national health-care spending. The Obama administration was forced to continue fighting the issue.
Because it could result in deaths and other health issues, the Bush administration included the health issue on the national agenda. Because of the negative consequences, the Bush administration must have continued to fight the issue.
Who would you pick as the entrepreneur, champion, or sponsor of the healthcare issue you chose for the current and two previous presidents?
I’d go with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. John Torres of NBC.
I’d go with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. John Torres of NBC.
I’d go with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr. John Torres of NBC.
Fact-Based Narrative
Obesity is a major public health problem that affects millions of people in the United States today. Currently, the fight against obesity consumes 21% of the health budget (Rodgers et al., 2018). If comprehensive measures are not implemented, expenditures may rise in the future. Various administrations have taken various measures to address the health issue and its complications. Despite efforts, the number of obese people continues to rise (Rodgers et al., 2018). Policymakers and government agencies should work together to develop comprehensive solutions to the health crisis (Rodgers et al., 2018). The issue of health should be included on legislative agendas because it affects millions of families and individuals and increases the health budget.
Nurses play an important role in addressing obesity cases in the country. One of the most important responsibilities is to educate individuals, families, and parents about healthy eating options. The nurse should emphasize the importance of diet in preventing or reducing cases (Ward et al., 2019). Nurses should educate people about the health consequences of obesity, such as cancer, high blood pressure, and stroke. Another function of nurse practitioners is to counsel obese patients. Nurses should Help patients in setting, adhering to, and achieving health goals (Ward et al., 2019). Nurses’ roles are critical in addressing the nation’s obesity problem. Nurse practitioners should act as advocates for better legislation that will change the country’s obesity narrative.
Conclusion
Obesity is a complex health problem characterized by an excess of body fat. Diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure are all increased risks due to the complex health issue. According to the 2018 health and financial report, the estimated health expenditure for obesity in America is approximately $190 billion, or 21 percent of total medical expenditure. The three presidents have all made significant efforts to combat obesity. President Obama is the best candidate to address the health-care crisis. By empowering farmers, ensuring people have access to healthy food, and launching a national Let’s Move campaign, the administration took a comprehensive approach. The health issue is a major issue that should draw policymakers’ attention in order to ensure better policies in addressing obesity. Nurse practitioners should act as advocates for better legislation that will change the country’s obesity narrative.
References
The White House (2019). 2019 Presidential Proclamation Commemorating National Physical Fitness and Sports Month The White House. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-national-physical-activity-month-2019/.
Thomson, K., and T. Carman (2015). Michelle Obama looks ahead to the future of ‘Let’s Move.’ According to the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/a-healthful-legacy-michelle-obama-looks-to-the-future-of-lets-move/2015/05/03/19feb42c-b3cc-11e4-886b-c22184f27c35 story.html
C. R. Singleton, Y. Li, A. C. Duran, S. N. Zenk, A. Odoms-Young, and L. M. Powell (2017). Food and beverage availability in Healthy Food Financing Initiative-eligible small food stores. 14(10), 1242. International journal of environmental research and public health.
J. A. Kreig, S. Gangrade, D. Rastogi, and R. J. Daniels (2019). A policy memo to the United States Congress on modernizing animal agriculture for a cleaner and healthier America. 14th Journal of Science Policy and Governance (1).
L. Pan, D. S. Freedman, A. J. Sharma, K. Castellanos-Brown, S. Park, R. B. Smith, and H. M. Blanck (2016). Trends in obesity among Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participants aged 2-4 years in the United States, 2000-2014. 1256-1260 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65(45).
A. Rodgers, A. Woodward, B. Swinburn, and W. H. Dietz (2018). Prevalence trends reveal what did not cause the obesity epidemic in the United States. The Lancet Public Health, vol. 3(4), pp. e162-e163.
Ward, Z. J., Bleich, S. N., Cradock, A. L., Barrett, J. L., Giles, C. M., Flax, C… (2019). Adult obesity and severe obesity prevalence projections at the state level in the United States. 381(25), 2440-2450 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
