Nurses in advanced practice roles need to be familiar with current health policy and strategies to contribute to policy development. Describe a policy issue for your selected role specialization. Synthesize knowledge for values theory, ethics, and legal regulatory statutes, and develop a personal philosophy that will map out a policy strategy that uses a high degree of political competence to address the policy issue as an advanced practice nurse.
Policy Issue: Mental Health Parity
As an advanced practice nurse specializing in mental health, one of the critical policy issues that I encounter is the lack of parity in mental health care. Mental health parity refers to the equal coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments as compared to physical health treatments.
Currently, many insurance plans have disparities in coverage for mental health services, leading to inadequate access to care for individuals with mental health conditions. This issue is of utmost importance as mental health disorders are prevalent in society, with approximately one in four individuals experiencing a mental health problem in their lifetime.
Synthesis of Values Theory, Ethics, and Legal Regulatory Statutes
In addressing the policy issue of mental health parity, it is essential to consider values theory, ethics, and legal regulatory statutes.
Values theory provides a philosophical foundation for understanding the importance of mental health parity. The underlying values that support mental health parity include justice, fairness, and equality. Mental health should be regarded with the same importance and priority as physical health, and individuals with mental health disorders should have equal access to quality care and treatments.
Ethics play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with mental health conditions receive the necessary care. The principle of autonomy states that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their health, including mental health. Therefore, ensuring mental health parity aligns with the ethical principle of respecting individual autonomy and promoting the well-being of the population.
Legal regulatory statutes provide the framework for addressing the policy issue of mental health parity. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) is a federal law that aims to ensure parity between mental health and substance use disorder benefits and medical/surgical benefits. It prohibits insurance plans from imposing more restrictive mental health coverage than medical/surgical coverage, including treatment limitations, financial requirements, and coverage criteria.
Developing a Personal Philosophy and Policy Strategy
To address the policy issue of mental health parity, my personal philosophy as an advanced practice nurse would be grounded in the principles of social justice, patient empowerment, and advocacy.
Firstly, social justice is a fundamental principle that guides my approach to healthcare policy. All individuals should have equal access to quality mental health care regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, gender, or any other social determinant of health. I believe that policy interventions should aim to eliminate disparities in mental health care and promote equity in access and outcomes.
Secondly, patient empowerment is crucial in achieving mental health parity. I am committed to empowering individuals with mental health disorders to actively participate in their care decisions and advocate for their rights and needs. This can be accomplished through education, promoting self-management strategies, and fostering a supportive and inclusive healthcare environment.
Lastly, advocacy plays a vital role in shaping mental health policy. As an advanced practice nurse, I would leverage my expertise, knowledge, and clinical experience in mental health to advocate for policy changes that promote mental health parity. This would involve engaging in legislative activities, collaborating with stakeholders, and raising awareness about the importance of mental health equity.
In terms of a policy strategy, a high degree of political competence is necessary to address the policy issue of mental health parity effectively. Political competence involves understanding the healthcare system’s complexities, building coalitions, and engaging in strategic communication and negotiation.