Assignment task:
Regarding public health, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made health insurance available to a larger population in America by expanded access to healthcare coverage through Medicaid expansion and cutting down the cost of healthcare insurance. In addition to making healthcare insurance more accessible, the ACA also requires insurance plans to provide essential health benefits which include many categories including preventative health services (screening and vaccination), mental health and substance use disorder services, rehabilitation services, and a few others (Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, 2022).
The nurse's role in implementing the ACA is to collaborate with other healthcare providers and community representatives to promote public health initiatives that follow the guidelines within this Act. Additionally, the nurse should be providing education to patients and families about the benefits and requirements of this law, including coverage options and preventative services (or making the appropriate referrals). Also, making sure patients are up to date on their screenings and vaccines. Furthermore, the nurse should stay current on the law and how it affects the way we must care for our patients and continue to advocate for the wellbeing of our patients and our communities.
As nurses continue to play an invaluable role in public health ,they must be supported. The healthcare reform provides many benefits for nurses including increased funding for nurse education and training programs, and the promotion of public health and prevention through multiple grands that facilitate community-based prevention and research. In example, provision Title VIII (Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention (NEPQR)) of the Health Care Reform added grant programs specifically for nurse retention which allows HH to award grants to accredited nursing school or health facilities to promote nursing education, improve the quality of patient care, and strengthen the workforce (American Nurses Association, 2014).