How are you affected by healthcare policies in the United States? I

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Discussion
If references are required please use chapters and websites that are given
For this discussion, read this article When Lobbyists Literally Write the Bill and review the Center for Responsive Politics list of top spenders on lobbying in 2015. Next, address the following:
http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2013/11/11/243973620/when-lobbyists-literally-write-the-bill
https://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/top.php?showYear=2015&indexType=s
Explain in greater detail what lobbying is and how it impacts the policy process from problem identification to agenda setting to policy implementation.
Critics argue that lobbyists have undue influence on the political process in the United States. Explain their reasoning behind this concern.
Do you think lobbying is a fair process and should be a part of the American political process?
Select one of the organizations or corporations from the Center for Responsive Politics list of top spenders on lobbying in 2015. Why would this organization/corporation employ a lobbyist? What is the benefit to the organization/corporation? Do you think this process is controversial? Why or why not?
Your initial post should be at least 300 words in length. Support your points with scholarly references, appropriate citations, and full references at the conclusion of your post. Cite your sources in APA format. Review several of your classmates’ posts, and then, provide a substantive response to at least two of your classmates by Day 7. What, if any, additional information would you recommend to increase their understanding of policy adoption and the lobbying process?
jounrnal
For your journal entry, you will explore aspects of your personal experience and/or beliefs regarding significant public policies and what you have learned in your readings. For this journal assignment review the following resources:
Rebecca Onie: What if our healthcare system kept us healthy?http://www.ted.com/talks/rebecca_onie_what_if_our_healthcare_system_kept_us_healthy
Health Reform Hits Main Street: The YouToons Explain the New Health Law.http://kff.org/health-reform/video/health-reform-hits-main-street/
Illustrating Health Care Reform: How Health Insurance Coverage Will Work.http://kff.org/health-reform/
As you reflect on these resources, please address the following questions:
What are the major current healthcare issues and policies in the United States today?What is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – 2010? How did this policy change the health care system in the United States?
Describe one strength and one weakness of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – 2010.
How are you affected by healthcare policies in the United States? If you are not affected, why not?
What were your thoughts on the healthcare system in the United States prior to this week’s readings?
How has your perspective been either reinforced or changed now that you are more informed?
The purpose of the journal activity is to allow you to thoroughly reflect upon what you have learned during this course, particularly this week, and to provide you with an opportunity to relate this what you have learned this week to your own experiences. The reflective journal is not a formal written assignment. However, you are expected to adhere to conventional rules of grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation while focusing on clearly conveying your thoughts.

examine women’s and men’s health issues, you focus on treatments for hormone deficiencies and cancer. You also explore preventive services for women’s and men’s health.

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Women’s and Men’s Health
Breast cancer is not just a disease that strikes at women. It strikes at the very heart of who we are as women: how others perceive us, how we perceive ourselves, how we live, work, and raise our families—or whether we do these things at all.
–Debbie Wasserman Schultz
This sentiment that Schultz expressed is true for many disorders associated with women’s and men’s health such as hormone deficiencies, cancers, and other functional and structural abnormalities. Disorders such as these not only result in physiological consequences but also psychological consequences such as embarrassment, guilt, or profound disappointment for patients. For these reasons, the provider-patient relationship must be carefully managed. During evaluations, patients must feel comfortable answering questions so that you, as a key health-care provider, will be able to diagnose and recommend appropriate treatment options. Advanced practice nurses must be able to educate patients on these disorders and help relieve associated stigmas and concerns.
This week, as you examine women’s and men’s health issues, you focus on treatments for hormone deficiencies and cancer. You also explore preventive services for women’s and men’s health.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, students will:
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy
Evaluate treatments for hormone deficiencies
Analyze preventive services for women’s and men’s health
Analyze drug treatments for cancer patients
Evaluate implications of cancer drug treatments on patients
Understand and apply key terms, concepts, and principles related to prescribing drugs to treat disorders associated with women’s and men’s health
Photo Credit: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images
Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources. To access select media resources, please use the media player below.
Required Readings
Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 33, “Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction” (pp. 481–495)
This chapter examines the causes, pathophysiology, and drug treatment of four disorders: prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. It also explores the importance of monitoring patient response and patient education.
Chapter 34, “Overactive Bladder” (pp. 496–511)
This chapter describes the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, and evaluation of overactive bladder. It also outlines the process of initiating, administering, and managing drug treatment for this disorder.
Chapter 55, “Contraception” (pp. 874–883)
This chapter examines various methods of contraception and covers drug interactions, selecting the most appropriate agent, and monitoring patient response to contraceptions.
Chapter 56, “Menopause and Menopausal Hormone Therapy” (pp. 884–895)
This chapter presents various options for menopausal hormone therapy and examines the strengths and limitations of each form of therapy.
Chapter 57, “Osteoporosis” (pp. 896–903)
This chapter covers various options for treating osteoporosis. It also describes proper dosages, potential adverse reactions, and special considerations of each drug.
Chapter 58, “Vaginitis” (pp. 904–915)
This chapter examines various causes of vaginitis and explores the diagnostic criteria and methods of treatment for the disorder.
Holloway, D. (2010). Clinical update on hormone replacement therapy. British Journal of Nursing, 19(8), 496–504
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the purpose, components, and administration of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It also presents benefits, risks, potential side effects, and alternative treatment options of HRT.
Mäkinen, J. I., & Huhtaniemi, I. (2011). Androgen replacement therapy in late-onset hypogonadism: Current concepts and controversies—A mini-review. Gerontology, 57(3), 193–202.
Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
This article examines the role of testosterone levels in the development of hypogonadism. It also explores health issues that are impacted by testosterone levels and the role of testosterone replacement therapy.
Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/
This website presents a comprehensive review of prescription and over-the-counter drugs including information on common uses and potential side effects. It also provides updates relating to new drugs on the market, support from health professionals, and a drug-drug interactions checker.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2014). The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services: Section 2. Recommendations for Adults. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/clinicians-providers/guidelines-recommendations/guide/section2.html
This website lists various preventive services available for men and women and provides information about available screenings, tests, preventive medication, and counseling.
CHAPTER 1: Hormone Replacement Therapy
In recent years, hormone replacement therapy has become a controversial issue. When prescribing therapies, advanced practice nurses must weigh the strengths and limitations of the prescribed supplemental hormones. If advanced practice nurses determine that the limitations outweigh the strengths, then they might suggest alternative treatment options such as herbs or other natural remedies, changes in diet, and increase in exercise.
Consider the following scenario:
As an advanced practice nurse at a community health clinic, you often treat female (and sometimes male patients) with hormone deficiencies. One of your patients requests that you prescribe supplemental hormones. This poses the questions: How will you determine what kind of treatment to suggest? What patient factors should you consider? Are supplemental hormones the best option for the patient, or would they benefit from alternative treatments?
To prepare:
ASSIGNMENT#1
Review Chapter 56 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text, as well as the Holloway and Makinen and Huhtaniemi articles in the Learning Resources.
Review the provided scenario and reflect on whether or not you would support hormone replacement therapy (SEE SCEANARIO ABOVE)
Locate and review additional articles about research on hormone replacement therapy for women and/or men. Consider the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy.
Based on your research of the strengths and limitations, again reflect on whether or not you would support hormone replacement therapy.
Consider whether you would prescribe supplemental hormones or recommend alternative treatments to patients with hormone deficiencies.
With these thoughts in mind:
Post a description of the strengths and limitations of hormone replacement therapy. Based on these strengths and limitations, explain why you would or why you would not support hormone replacement therapy. Explain whether you would prescribe supplemental hormones or recommend alternative treatments to patients with hormone deficiencies and why.
CHAPTER 2:
Cancer and Women’s and Men’s Health
The American Cancer Society estimates that by the end of 2012, more than 226,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 241,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer (American Cancer Society, 2012a; American Cancer Society 2012b). With such prevalence of women’s and men’s cancers, patient education and preventive services are essential. In clinical settings, advanced practice nurses must assist physicians in educating patients on risk factors, preventive services, and for patients diagnosed with cancer, on potential drug treatments. The clinical implications of women’s and men’s cancer greatly depend on early detection, which is primarily achieved through preventive services. In this Assignment, you consider the short-term and long-term implications of cancer and drug treatments associated with women’s and men’s health, as well as appropriate preventive services.
To prepare:
ASSIGNMENT 2
Select a type of cancer associated with women’s or men’s health such as breast, cervical, or ovarian cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
Locate and review articles examining the type of cancer you selected.
Review the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force article in the Learning Resources. Think about available preventive services that providers might recommend for patients at risk of this type of cancer.
Select two of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how these factors might impact decisions related to preventive services.
Consider drug treatment options for patients diagnosed with the type of cancer you selected including short-term and long-term implications of the treatments.
By Day 7
Write a 3- 4 page paper that addresses the following:
Describe available preventive services that providers might recommend for patients at risk of the type of cancer you selected.
Explain how the factors you selected might impact decisions related to preventive services.
Describe drug treatment options for patients diagnosed with the type of cancer you selected. Explain the short-term and long-term implications of these treatments.

identify the differences between the U.S. policies and the Catholic policies regarding the implementation of abortion in the hospitals along with the impact of healthcare policies on the access to abortion’s services for women in need

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The title of the research is “Healthcare Policies for Abortion in the U.S.”
– The purpose of this research proposal is (to describe the development of the healthcare policies in the U.S. and to identify the differences between the U.S. policies and the Catholic policies regarding the implementation of abortion in the hospitals along with the impact of healthcare policies on the access to abortion’s services for women in need).

Discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Nursing Quality Expert in a selected healthcare organization.

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Interview with a Nursing Quality EXpert
Directions: After completing your interview you must use this form to submit your assignment to the Dropbox. You may use the form to capture information as you conduct your interview or fill it in later. The form is expandable and will enlarge the textbox to accommodate your answers. Do not rely only on this form for everything you must include! Please look in Doc Sharing for specific instructions in the Guidelines for this assignment.Criteria Fill in the answers in this column.
Indicate 2 scholarly resources or texts used prior to the interview to familiarize yourself with the individuals organization role or any of the questions you plan to ask that will make you a more knowledgeable interviewer. Resource #1:
Resource # 2:
Demographics: Provide initials credentials job title and length in present position of the registered nurse interviewee. Include the date and time the interview was conducted. Provide a working phone number for instructor follow-up if needed.
Required Questions
(Ask the interviewee about EVERY topic in this section)
Scope of responsibility: Major responsibilities direct reports and operational budget
Organizational mission vision values and beliefs
Strategic planning related to ONE core competency (name the core competency)
Role of BSN-prepared nurse to support the strategic plan
Practice Impact Question
(Reflect on the interview afterwards to ask yourself this question and provide it below.)
How does completing this interview impact your practice as a BSN-prepared nurse Give specific examples.Interview with a Nursing Quality Expert:
Guidelines
PURPOSE
The following is the purposes of this assignment:
Discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Nursing Quality Expert in a selected healthcare organization.
Review the organizations mission vision values and beliefs.
Discuss the Nursing Quality Experts strategic plan as it relates to The Institute of Medicines Quality initiatives and ONE of the following core competencies.
1) Employ evidence-based practice
2) Apply quality improvement
3) Utilize informatics
Conduct a core competency-focused interview with a Nursing Quality Expert.
Articulate the role of the BSN-prepared nurse to support the strategic plan related to selected IOM core competency.
Articulate what was learned from time spent with interviewee and how own nursing practice will change as a result of the encounter and completion of this assignment.
COURSE OUTCOMES
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.
CO 1: Apply leadership concepts skills and decision making in the provision of high quality nursing care healthcare team management and the oversight and accountability for care delivery in a variety of settings. (PO #2)
CO 3: Participate in the development and implementation of imaginative and creative strategies to enable systems to change. (PO #7)
CO 5: Apply improvement methods based on data from the outcomes of care processes to design and test changes to continuously improve the quality and safety of healthcare. (PO #8)
CO 6: Develop a personal awareness of complex organizational systems and integrate values and beliefs with organizational mission. (PO #7)
CO 7: Apply leadership concepts in the development and initiation of effective plans for the microsystems and/or system-wide practice improvements that will improve the quality of healthcare delivery. (PO #2 and 3)
POINTS
This assignment is worth a total of 200 points.
DUE DATE
This assignment Interview with a Nursing Quality Expert is due at the end of Week 6. Submit your completed interview using the Interview Form to the basket in the Dropbox by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT. Post questions to the weekly Q & A Forum. Contact your instructor if you need additional assistance. See the Course Policies regarding late assignments. Failure to submit your paper to the Dropbox on time will result in a deduction of points.
DIRECTIONS
1. Download the NR447 Interview Form from Doc Sharing. It is found under the Week 6 Interview link.
2. Select your interviewee schedule and conduct an interview. This individual must be a Registered Nurse employed in a leadership role as a Nursing Quality Expert. Job titles of RNs who may be considered include but are not limited to: Quality Care Coordinator Performance Improvement Officer/Coordinator Director of Quality Assessment Compliance Officer Safety Director Regulatory Officer/Director If you have any concerns about whether the RN is suitable for this assignment contact your instructor BEFORE you schedule and conduct the interview.
3. Review all areas of inquiry on the Interview Form located in Doc Sharing PRIOR to conducting the interview. You may print the form and take it with you to the interview. However you may not give it to the individual and ask him or her to complete it and return it to you.
4. Note there are three areas of inquiry to discuss with the RN/Nursing Quality Expert.
5. Prior to conducting interview review two scholarly resources related to the ONE aforementioned core competencies upon which you plan to focus. These resources should guide your interview process and understanding of the Nursing Quality Experts role and responsibilities as it relates to the selected core competency. If you have questions about what constitutes a scholarly resource please ask your instructor.
6. Prior to interview review the organizations mission vision values and beliefs.
7. Note that practice impact must be addressed by YOU and is a very important criterion
8. Conduct the interview. The length of your interview will vary but should not exceed one hour.
9. Submit the form to the Dropbox prior to the deadline outlined above.
GRADING CRITERIA
Category Points % Description
Scholarly Resources 20 10% Name two resources reviewed prior to conducting interview related to selected core competency.
Describe how each resource helped student prepare for and conduct interview.
APA formatting for two resources is correct.
Demographics 10 5% Initials credentials job title and length in present position of interviewee are provided. Date and time of interview are provided. Working phone number of interviewee is provided for instructor to follow-up if indicated.
Scope of Responsibility 30 15% Provide a paraphrased or summary of the interviewees answer indicating major responsibilities and number of direct reports (staff who report to him/her). If none please say so. Indicate total operational budget for which interviewee is responsible. If unwilling to share say so. You may quote the interviewee but sparingly. Do NOT provide a verbatim transcript of everything that was said. Bulleted items may be used.
Mission Vision Values and Beliefs of the Organization 30 15% Provide a paraphrased or summary of the interviewees answer. Do not quote from the website. Use the Nursing Quality Experts interpretation of these. You may quote the interviewee but sparingly. Do NOT provide a verbatim transcript of everything that was said.