Reply 1 and 2 150 words each one by 05/06/2021 at 2:00 pm

Reply 1

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

Lauren Underwood is a representative in the state of Illinois, who has also been a Registered Nurse. With that being said, Lauren Underwood brings nursing and health policy experience to the table. As a young girl, Lauren knew she wanted to become a nurse, while in Nursing school she discovered she had a huge interest in research. After graduating from college with her BSN, she pursued a career as a research nurse at the National Institute of Health. As a nurse the biggest, most important role you play is that of being an advocate. When former nurses are elected into a legislative role they have the ability to share their experiences and insights with the public as well as other elected officials, and have the ability to make a difference in the policy-making process (OJIN, 2012). Lauren Underwood states, “as a nurse, I have always considered access to quality, affordable health care fundamental to my practice.”
Later on in her career, Lauren joined the U.S. Department of Health and human Services where she worked on implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Lauren recently introduced the Health Care Affordability Act (HR 1868), which was created to help make health care more affordable by reducing premiums for insurance purchased through the marketplace, as well as legislation to protect Americans with preexisting conditions by overturning Trump administration rule, which was to expand limited-duration insurance (American Journal of Nursing, 2019).
Reference:
American Journal of Nursing. (2019). A Nurse in the House. https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=4983011&Journal_ID=54030&Issue_ID=4982798
The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. (2012). Patient Advocacy in the Community and Legislative Arena. https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No1-Jan-2012/Advocacy-in-Community-and-Legislative-Arena.html
Reply 2

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

Some people think there is no link between nursing and politics. Still, those who have put aside their careers in health care to hold office in their state capitals can attest that the relationship between the two is seamless, almost natural. Nurses are in a position like no other, to represent the interests of their fellow health officers and advocate for the health care wants of the society at large.
The legislature is the body responsible for making laws that govern and dictate the day-to-day duties and conduct of a nurse. Without careful consideration, these laws may negatively affect general nursing care. Having legislators with health care experience enhances advocacy as they know the specific challenges that need to be addressed and, as such, will table these concerns to promote better health care delivery across the nation (Antoine Boivin, 2014).
One of the persons who has served at the state level and as a licensed practicing nurse is retired legislator Lenny Winkler. She served as the assistant minority leader in the Connecticut House of Representatives and is a licensed practical nurse with over 25 years of nursing experience. Her influence in legislation was significant as she saw firsthand what was going on in health. Her recommendations held a lot of weight because she was still practicing (Larson, 2016).
References
Antoine Boivin, P. L. (2014). What Are the Key Ingredients for Effective Public Involvement in Health Care Improvement and Policy Decisions? A Randomized Trial Process Evaluation. A Multidisciplinary Journal of Population Health and Health Policy.
Larson, J. (2016). Nurse Legislators: Representing Health Care in State Government. AMN Healthcare.