NURS 6050 Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Legislation Grid Template
As important healthcare providers, nurses encounter situations that implore them to take actions and participate in activities or initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable quality care for different health populations. As patient advocates, nurses seek to impact policies, laws, and regulations that affect healthcare issues of interest (Milstead et al., 2019). Through the undertaking, they help patients attain better outcomes by offering inputs on how such policies should be developed for effective implementation in clinical settings and nursing practice (Walden University, 2018). The purpose of this legislation grid and testimony or advocacy statement is to discuss and advocate a proposed bill on healthcare that will enhance quality of care.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
| Health-related Bill Name |
Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 |
| Bill Number | S.1855 |
| Description | The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 is proposed legislation that aims at having continued funding for a key federal diabetes research program which is set to expire in September, 2023. The legislation reauthorizes funding for the program that focuses on type 1 diabetes research for another five years to allow scientists at the National Institutes of Health to continue their ongoing efforts to get new approaches to treating, preventing and curing the disease (Collins, 2023). The legislation, if enacted, would offer the program $150 million each year for the program. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the special diabetes program aims at researching about the prevention and cure of type 1 diabetes (Govtrack.us, 2023). Therefore, this bill expands the mandate for more research on the condition to develop innovative and unique treatment options for the condition that affects millions of Americans. |
| Federal or State? | Federal |
| Legislative Intent | The legislative intent of the bill is to reauthorize funding for special diabetes program for Type 1 Diabetes as well as the special diabetes program Indians. The Act would not only reauthorize but also strengthen critical research on type 1 diabetes and develop new critical treatment, education, and prevention initiatives for populations considered as at high risk (Govtrack.us, 2023). These include Native Americans and Alaska Native communities who have high rates of Type 2 diabetes than the national average. |
| Proponents/ Opponents | Proponents: Proponents of the bill include the sponsors, Senior Senator Susan Collins and the cosponsors Senator Jeanne Shaheen who are co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus. The bill is also supported by the National Council of Urban Indian Health (2023). |
| Opponents: The bill does not have any known opponents as it is considered a bipartisan legislation supported by Congressional members from the two dominant parties and even independents.
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| Target Population | The bill targets populations that are susceptible to getting diabetes type 1 that may lead to type 2 diabetes like the native Indians and Alaska Natives. The bill also targets research facilities like the National Institutes of Health. The increase in allocations means that more individuals can benefit from the research on interventions, education programs and awareness about type 1 diabetes. |
| Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?) | The committee assigned to the bill sent it to both House and Senate as whole to consider it by June 15, 2023. The committee had passed the bill paving way for its return to the Senate and the House for debate as whole and after that taking of a vote on it. |
| General Notes/Comments
|
The Special Diabetes Reauthorization Program Act 2023 is a critical piece of legislation that would improve care provision for the targeted population through effective research initiatives (DeGette, 2023). The bill is important in improving the overall health outcomes for those populations and individuals who are at increased risk for type 1 diabetes. |
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 is a core proposed legislation that would help fight the increasing cases of type 1 diabetes, especially among the Native communities and minorities who bear the greatest risk for the condition. Existing evidence shows that the Type 1 Diabetes Research and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) has been significant in creating meaningful resources and research milestones to develop cures and prevention initiatives for individuals with Type 1 diabetes, including Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Imperatively, if not extended, the two programs will expire and increase the risk of diabetes, not just among the communities but even the nation and pile pressure and strain on the current resources. As such, this bill is essential in helping mitigate such situations now and in the future.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are conditions that one is born and lives in which affect their access to health. These include income, education, age, and gender among others. These SDOHs affect the legislation as they imply that only those individuals with access to better health care based on income can have better treatment interventions (Milstead et al., 2019). These determinants also affect access to information and use of the information to make informed and better choices.
Currently, the bill has no known opposition as it is a bipartisan approach to dealing with the issue of diabetes as a public health concern. However, it is essential to emphasize that the bill will offer immense benefits to patients and the targeted communities through better interventions, especially prevention of the disease. As such, all should support the bill because of its benefits to public health discourse and patients.
Conclusion
Legislations are essential in improving healthcare outcomes. Nurses as patient advocates should support such legislations so that they can improve the quality of care delivery for their patients. The proposed bill will ensure that more people can access treatment and preventive care against diabetes.
References
Collins, S. (2023 June 15). Collins’ Bipartisan Bill to Support Type 1 Diabetes
Research and Combat Type 2 Diabetes Advances Senate Committee. https://www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/collins-bipartisan-bill-to-support-type-1-diabetes-research-and-combat-type-2-diabetes-advances-senate-committee
DeGette, D. (2023 April 11). DeGette, Bilirakis introduce legislation to continue
funding key diabetes research program. https://degette.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/degette-bilirakis-introduce-legislation-continue-funding-key-diabetes
Govtrack.us (2023). S. 1855: Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of
- https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/118/s1855
National Council of Urban Health for Indians (2023 June 10). Senate Committee
Passes Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, Marking First Increase in Nearly Two Decades. https://ncuih.org/2023/06/20/senate-committee-passes-bipartisan-bill-to-reauthorize-the-special-diabetes-program-for-indians-marking-first-increase-in-nearly-two-decades/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2023). About
the Special Diabetes Program. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-special-statutory-funding-program/about-special-diabetes-program
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide
(6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Health Policy and
Law with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
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Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
- Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)
- Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 180–183 only)
- Congress.gov
- Links to an external site.. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/
- Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T. (2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350
- Links to an external site..
- United States House of Representatives
- Links to an external site.. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.house.gov/
- United States Senate
- Links to an external site.. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/
- United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 117th Congress
- Links to an external site.. https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm
- Document: Legislation Grid Template (Word document)
Required Media
- Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Working with Legislators [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
- Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Health Policy and Law with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
- Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Contemporary Issues in Public Health Policy with Joel Teitelbaum [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
- Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). Peter Beilenson: Population Health [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
To Prepare:
- Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
- Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
- Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
- Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
- Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
- Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.
- Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
- At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.
By Day 7 of Week 4
Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.
submission information
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK4Assgn+LastName+Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Rubric
NURS_6050_Module02_Week04_Assignment_Rubric
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Federal and State LegislationPart 1: Legislation GridBased on the health- related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees? |
|
35 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.• Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples. |
|
40 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome References |
|
10 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting—Paragraph Development and OrganizationParagraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, low logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas.Sentences are carefully focused– neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting: English Writing StandardsCorrect grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Written Expression and Formatting: The paper follows correct APA format for title page, font, spacing, indentations, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
|
5 pts | ||||
| Total Points: 100 | ||||||