The Rationale for the Position
The proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA) presents a significant concern for the U.S. health care system. According to Akinbobola (2021), “Medicaid together with the ACA have played a major role in the reduction of the number of people without health insurance coverage in the United States” (p. 38). While these reforms are not flawless, their impact is generally evaluated as positive due to significantly higher access to medical services, particularly for vulnerable groups (Courtemanche et al., 2019). In turn, the AHCA poses a threat to these improvements achieved through the ACA by benefiting large insurance and drug companies at the expense of the general population. The proposed bill aims to reduce Medicaid funding, which could disproportionately impact the elderly, women, low-income households, people with preexisting conditions, and Americans in rural areas. As estimated by Akinbobola (2021), the termination of Medicaid coverage would affect approximately “32 million people by 2026” (p. 40). Moreover, under the AHCA, annual premiums would double by 2026 (Akinbobola, 2021). As a result, this would further restrict access to affordable healthcare for numerous Americans.
Another crucial aspect supporting the criticism of the AHCA is the impact on acute issues in U.S. healthcare, such as disparities in medical services and the opioid crisis. As noted by Hatcher (2020), President Trump has made numerous misleading statements on such matters as veteran healthcare, prescription drugs, abortion, and the ACA repeal. Such rhetoric indicates a lack of political neutrality and a fair approach to the problem. The AHCA would implement an age-based credit system, terminate coverage for American women under Planned Parenthood, and restrict funds for public health initiatives aiming to tackle the opioid crisis (Hatcher, 2020). These implications indicate that Congress should focus on improving the ACA rather than supporting the proposed AHCA.
Scenario Brief
In the given scenario, I am preparing for a legislative visit to my representative in Congress in order to discuss the potential consequences of passing the American Health Care Act. In the first document, I outlined the main points defending my position against the proposed bill. In the second document, I provided a rationale for my statements supported by references from scientific journals. It is crucial to address the problem in a comprehensive way and present valid claims advocating against the potentially harmful initiative.
Another essential aspect to consider is the political affiliation of my representative, which defines my entire approach to advocating for the health care policy. In this regard, I selected Zoe Lofgren, a Democrat and the U.S. Congresswoman that represents California’s 18th District (“Health care,” n.d.). A background check has revealed that she supports the ACA and is in opposition to the AHCA. The chosen official’s website states that Lofgren “opposes any heedless dismantling of good health policies that would jeopardize the well-being of families and individuals currently covered by this plan” (“Health care,” n.d., para. 2). It is evident that my representative understands the potential harm of implementing the AHCA.
Therefore, during my legislative visit, I would aim to provide valid and evidence-based claims supporting Lofgren’s position on the issue. Firstly, I would emphasize that the ACA dismantling would impact about 32 million Americans, putting them at risk of healthcare problems (Akinbobola, 2021, p. 40). My representative opposes any measures that would terminate the current coverage of individuals under the Medicare plan. Secondly, I would discuss how the AHCA would make health insurance more expensive for middle-class Americans while giving tax cuts to the rich. It is known that Lofgren advocates for affordable health care for all citizens (“Health care,” n.d.). Therefore, it is crucial to determine the adverse consequences of the AHCA on vulnerable populations and its role in promoting disparities in American society. Thirdly, I would emphasize the impact of the proposed bill on Planned Parenthood and the opioid crisis initiatives (Akinbobola, 2021). In this regard, my representative voices her support of these programs, and passing the AHCA would negatively impact them.
Finally, it is worth noting that nurses play a pivotal role in advocating for patients’ interests and promoting the well-being and quality of health care for all individuals. In this regard, my nursing experience and knowledge allow me to estimate the potential risks associated with the proposed bill. As a nurse, I am aware of the challenges that Americans face with regard to healthcare, which defines my advocacy position against the AHCA. This policy might have significant implications for the U.S. medical system, increasing the gap between the rich and the poor. Research shows that it has the potential to limit people’s access to essential healthcare services, increase healthcare costs, promote discrimination, and decrease coverage for vulnerable populations (Akinbobola, 2021). Therefore, as a nurse, I must advocate against the AHCA and explain its negative impact on the well-being of American citizens.
References
Akinbobola, B. A. (2021). An examination of the perceived impact of Medicaid expansion on the United States of America’s economy. Public Policy and Administration Research, 11(1), 38-48. Web.
Courtemanche, C., Marton, J., Ukert, B., Yelowitz, A., Zapata, D., & Fazlul, I. (2019). The three‐year impact of the Affordable Care Act on disparities in insurance coverage. Health Services Research, 54, 307-316. Web.
Hatcher, W. (2020). President Trump and health care: A content analysis of misleading statements. Journal of Public Health, 42(4), e482-e486. Web.
Health care. (n.d.). U.S. House of Representatives. Web.