PositionPaperShortridgeRoxyNRSE6002
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
East Tennessee State University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
6002
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by DoctorGazelle3328
Running head: POSITION PAPER
Position Paper
Roxy Shortridge
East Tennessee State University
NRSE 6002 – 911
Dr. Sharon Bigger
September 10
th
, 2023
2
POSITION PAPER
Introduction
Less than 10% of the United States population is considered a veteran. A veteran is a man
or a woman who has served in the United States military. This is a very specific and special population within our healthcare system that we care for. These individuals have chronic health conditions and injuries from their experiences in deployments and active duty. The men and women who have fought for our freedoms have endured an ultimate sacrifice. They have earned to receive the best quality care possible to ensure that their health goals are achieved and live long, healthy lives. It is important as healthcare providers we can recognize the specific needs of our nation’s veterans and ensure that they are receiving the care they deserve.
Background and Significance
The background and significance of this issue includes that veterans have endured injury and have chronic illnesses due to their military involvement. Once the veteran returns to the United States and begins to seek medical treatment they are faced with long wait times for appointments and difficulty in receiving care.
Veterans have sacrificed their lives and deserve to have their needs to be fully met regarding their healthcare. As many of veteran's health conditions are because of the military, the Veteran’s Affairs healthcare administration should make a greater effort to ensure that veterans are fully cared for. The men and the women in uniform have dedicated their lives to ensuring that
our country can continue to live in freedom and without worry. I feel that it is our duty as a healthcare system to make it our responsibility that our nation’s veterans can obtain healthcare with ease and without difficulty due to the lack of access. I stand on the belief that all people should have access to healthcare, because this is a basic human right. It is imperative that the VA and community care providers collaborate and facilitate healthcare treatment to achieve their
3
POSITION PAPER
healthcare goals. Increasing collaboration and treatment with community care providers and VA providers will decrease wait times for appointments, increase accessibility, and improve health outcomes of the veteran.
Legislation
The bill that I will be discussing during this position paper is H.R. 3520: Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. H.R. 3250 is a federal policy that was introduced on May 18th, 2023. (Congress, 2023b). The legislative members that sponsored this bill are Representatives Miller-
Meeks, with Co-Sponsors including Bost, Bergman, Kiggans, Mace, Radewagen, Van Ordan, and Murphy. (Congress, 2023). H.R. 3250 Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023 purpose is to improve the provision of care and services that are provided by the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) healthcare system. This bill would aid in increasing the accessibility of care through the VA healthcare system for veterans. (Congress, 20230b). Ensuring that the VA is being transparent with veterans when making decisions regarding their healthcare is imperative. This bill would ensure that the VA accepts more responsibility in their care that they provide to veterans. Many veterans come back into civilian life with struggles including substance abuse and mental health concerns. This bill would establish a standard for the provision of residential substance abuse treatment, recognizing that when a veteran decides that help is needed in their lives that timeliness is vital (Miller-Meeks, 2023). It would create a pilot program through the Center for Innovation to incentivize how community providers interact with VA providers. This would allow for collaboration with healthcare providers, ensuring that veterans are receiving the best care possible. This bill would also codify the current healthcare access standards (Miller-Meeks, 2023). Bill H.R. 3250 is creating a baseline for what all veterans should expect of their care,
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
POSITION PAPER
including, timeliness of obtaining healthcare. This can include primary care and specialty appointments, follow ups, and acute care visits. Support
and Non-Support
As discussed previously there are two sides to supporting this piece of legislation. Thos who are on the supporting side agree with increasing and improving the accessibility of healthcare within the VA for veterans and expanding the programs within. There is also a non-
supporting side for this piece of legislation which includes those who view this piece of legislation differently. They view it as increasing accessibility of healthcare for veterans can be a financial burden to the healthcare system. It can also be difficult collaborating with different providers that do not work within the same system as can be communication errors occur easily. I understand both viewpoints regarding this piece of legislation, and respect that there are cons and pros to this legislation. Position
My position on the issue of the lack of access to healthcare for veterans in the United States stands upon that these individuals have risked their lives and made an ultimate sacrifice for our country and have earned to receive world-class healthcare. A pro for this position would be that veterans would receive quality healthcare and have a more positive health outcome. A con for this position includes that this may cause a rise in cost as veterans may have to be referred to community healthcare providers if the service is not provided within the VA. I fully agree and support this bill to improve the care that veterans receive. I support the idea that the healthcare system should remain transparent and responsible for their patient’s health. Conclusion
5
POSITION PAPER
In conclusion, my relationship to this piece of legislation stems from my experience working directly with veterans. I have worked at the VA for nearly four years and have cared for many veterans in different stages of life. I have worked in the intensive care unit caring for veterans who are at their sickest and require immediate acute care. I have witnessed how a delay in care can greatly affect the outcome of a veteran’s health. I support this bill fully as I am passionate regarding the issue of ensuring that our veterans receive quality healthcare. Although I
support this bill I can understand and view other perspectives regarding this legislation and the nonsupport. The nonsupport would consist of continuing care as it is for veterans which consists of long wait times for appointments, difficulty in receiving care in the community, and the lack of access to care and collaboration of healthcare providers. Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed their lives for our own freedom and deserve to receive timely and quality healthcare. This bill would ensure that the veteran’s individual healthcare needs are being met fully in a timely manner.
6
POSITION PAPER
References
Congress. (2023). Text - H.R.3520 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Veteran care improvement ...
H.R.3520 -Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-
congress/house-bill/3520/text Congress. (2023b). Text - H.R.3520 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Veteran care improvement ...
Text: H.R.3520 — 118th Congress (2023-2024). https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-
congress/house-bill/3520/text Miller-Meeks, M. (2023, May 18). Miller-Meeks, Bost, colleagues introduce Bill to improve and
expand Va Care. Meeks. https://millermeeks.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-meeks-bost-
colleagues-introduce-bill-improve-and-expand-va-care
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help