D223: Performance Assessment 2
Student Name
Western Governors University
D223 Healthcare Policy and Economics
Prof. Name
Date
A1: Federal and State Public Healthcare Policy
Federal Policy: Tobacco 21 Act
The Tobacco 21 Act, passed in December 2019, is a significant federal law that raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21 years. This legislation targets the reduction of tobacco use among young people by restricting their access to tobacco products, thereby aiming to improve public health outcomes. By limiting youth access to tobacco, the act works to decrease the initiation of smoking and related health risks (Products, n.d.).
State Policy: Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA)
Enacted in 2022, Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA), also known as House Bill 22-1279, guarantees the right of individuals to use contraception and access abortion services without interference. This law explicitly states that fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses do not possess legal rights under Colorado law, thereby safeguarding reproductive autonomy and preventing discrimination based on pregnancy decisions (Reproductive Health Equity Act [RHEA], 2022).
A2: Public Healthcare Policy Process
| Level | Policy | Description | Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Tobacco 21 Act | A federal law prohibiting tobacco sales to individuals under 21 years of age. | Enforced by the FDA through retail inspections, secret purchase operations, and penalties. |
| State | Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) | Colorado law securing access to contraceptives and abortion services without discrimination. | Enforced by state and local regulatory agencies; penalties include fines and license revocation. |
A3: Policy Impact on Populations
Federal Policy: Tobacco 21 (T21)
Who benefits? The primary beneficiaries are youth under 21, along with society at large due to reduced tobacco-related illnesses.
How do they benefit? By limiting access to tobacco products, the law prevents youth from starting to smoke, leading to improved long-term health outcomes.
Who is negatively impacted? Tobacco companies experience a decline in sales and a shrinking customer base, particularly among younger consumers.
How are they impacted? Reduced youth access to tobacco results in fewer new smokers, which negatively affects the tobacco industry’s market growth and revenue.
Impact on health disparities and equity: The T21 law advances health equity by decreasing tobacco-related diseases and healthcare costs, especially benefiting underserved populations disproportionately affected by tobacco use.
State Policy: Colorado’s Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA)
Who benefits? Women and individuals of reproductive age in Colorado.
How do they benefit? They gain legal protection to access contraceptives and abortion services safely and without discrimination.
Who is negatively impacted? Groups opposing abortion and contraceptive use, often on moral or religious grounds, face challenges to their advocacy efforts.
How are they impacted? These groups may experience social and political tensions as their values conflict with the law’s provisions.
Impact on health disparities and equity: The RHEA enhances reproductive health equity by eliminating barriers such as legal, financial, and geographic obstacles, thus promoting timely and equitable healthcare access.
A4: Evidence Informing Policy
Federal Policy: Tobacco 21
The Tobacco 21 Act’s goal is to curb youth smoking initiation. Evidence from California’s Tobacco Control Program shows a significant decline in high school smokers—from 10% in 2016 to 2% in 2018—following similar age restriction laws (Kim et al., 2021). The CDC identifies smoking as the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S., causing major health and economic burdens (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). Limiting youth access to tobacco is critical for fostering healthier future generations and reducing smoking-related healthcare costs.
State Policy: Reproductive Health Equity Act
Following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, states regained control over abortion regulations (Berg & Woods, 2023). Colorado responded with the RHEA to safeguard abortion access and reproductive rights, ensuring individuals within the state can obtain legal and safe reproductive healthcare (Coen-Sanchez et al., 2022). This legislation represents a commitment to reproductive autonomy amid a shifting national legal environment.
A4A: Evidence Supporting Policy and Suggested Improvements
| Policy | Supporting Evidence | Suggested Improvements |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco 21 | Prevents youth nicotine addiction during critical brain development, reducing tobacco-related diseases such as lung cancer and heart disease (Kim et al., 2021). | Enhance public education on law benefits. Increase access to cessation programs, especially in marginalized communities. |
| Reproductive Health Equity Act (RHEA) | Protects safe access to abortion and contraceptive services, emphasizing women’s autonomy and nullifying legal rights of fertilized eggs to avoid discrimination (Coen-Sanchez et al., 2022). | Expand insurance coverage to minimize delays and financial barriers. Increase funding for clinics serving underserved populations. |
B: Role of Nurses in Policy Development
Nurses serve an essential function in healthcare policy formulation at both federal and state levels. Their direct patient care experience provides invaluable insight into the practical needs and challenges faced by the healthcare system. Through participation in professional bodies such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), nurses can advocate for nursing priorities, including improved nurse-to-patient ratios and safer working conditions.
At the state level, organizations like the Colorado Nurses Association (CNA) facilitate nurse involvement in advocacy and policymaking. By engaging in these groups, nurses influence local legislation and promote healthcare policies aligned with patient care and nursing practice.
B1: Barriers Nurses Face in Policy Development
Despite their vital role, nurses often confront multiple challenges when attempting to influence healthcare policy:
- Insufficient Training: Many nursing programs do not sufficiently prepare nurses to engage confidently in policy-making activities.
- Resistance to Change: Some healthcare staff, including nurses, may resist new policies due to concerns about increased workload or altered responsibilities.
- Resource Constraints: Time limitations, funding shortages, and personnel deficits restrict nurses’ ability to gather evidence and advocate effectively.
- Rapidly Evolving Healthcare Landscape: Constant changes in healthcare require adaptable policies, but outdated regulations can hinder effective care, emphasizing the need for continuous nurse involvement in policy updates.
B2: Nursing Engagement in Policy
This educational program has motivated me to actively participate in all phases of healthcare policy, including development, implementation, and revision. I intend to join the Colorado Nurses Association to stay informed about healthcare legislation and collaborate with fellow nurses to advocate for positive changes. By engaging with compliance teams and policy committees, I will contribute evidence-based recommendations that improve patient care and nursing practice. Every nurse’s voice is crucial, and I am committed to using mine to support meaningful healthcare reform.
References
Berg, J. A., & Woods, N. F. (2023). Overturning Roe v. Wade: consequences for midlife women’s health and well-being. Women’s Midlife Health, 9(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40695-022-00085-8
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 29). Health effects of cigarette smoking. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 26). State System Tobacco MLSA Fact Sheet. https://www.cdc.gov/statesystem/factsheets/mlsa/Minimum-Legal-Sales-Age.html
Coen-Sanchez, K., Ebenso, B., El-Mowafi, I. M., Berghs, M., Idriss-Wheeler, D., & Yaya, S. (2022). Repercussions of overturning Roe v. Wade for women across systems and beyond borders. Reproductive Health, 19(1), 184. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01490-y
D223: Performance Assessment 2
Kim, S. C., Martinez, J. E., Liu, Y., & Friedman, T. C. (2021). US Tobacco 21 is paving the way for a tobacco endgame. Tobacco Use Insights, 14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179173×211050396
Products, C. for T. (n.d.). Tobacco 21. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21
Reproductive Health Equity Act [RHEA]. (2022). Colorado General Assembly.