WK 5 Resp 2 Health

Muddiest Point and Peer Feedback

Feedback and guidance are an integral part of any successful plan. Accessing the expertise, experience, and ideas of others allows us to fully examine topics and plans to ensure no stone is left unturned. 

For this Discussion, you will utilize the expertise of your colleagues to assist you in developing your Personal Legislative Agenda. You will construct 1-2 questions regarding any areas of concerns or guidance for colleague support and suggestion.

Resources

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

Readings

· Dawes, D. E. (2020). 
The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.

· Chapter 5, “Wining the Game That Never Ends: Success Means Continuous Employment of the Political Determinants of Health” (pp. 112–130)

· Porche, D. J. (2023). 
Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

· Chapter 12, “Evidence Informing Policymaking ” (pp. 175–183)

· Chapter 15, “Politics: Theory and Practice” (pp. 201–237)

·
Document: 
Personal Legislative Agenda and Action Plan Exemplar (Word Document)
Download Personal Legislative Agenda and Action Plan Exemplar (Word Document)

· Association of Public Health Nurses Public Health Policy Committee. (2021). 

Public health policy advocacy guidebook and tool kitLinks to an external site.
.

·
Congress.govLinks to an external site.. (2022).

· Congress.gov. (2022). 

State legislative websitesLinks to an external site.
 [Interactive media]. state-legislature-websites

· Gustafson, A. (2017, December 12). How to be a political influence—as an average citizen. 

CurrentsLinks to an external site.
.

· Rees, A. (2013, August 6). 

Digital and online activismLinks to an external site.
. Reset: Digital for Good.

· Social Current. (n.d.). 

Policy, advocacy, and communications toolkitLinks to an external site.
.

· White, N. (2018). Introduction: Why read the 
Effective Activist Guide. In
 

Effective activist: An evidence-based guide to progressive social changeLinks to an external site.

 (pp. 6–10). Effective Activist.

Previous
Next

To Prepare:

· Begin work on the Personal Legislative Agenda. 

· Consider questions or concerns you have about the plan.

By Day 3 of Week 6

Post a response detailing the following: 

Construct one to two (1–2) questions for your colleagues detailing any questions or concerns you may have regarding the Personal Legislative Agenda. Your questions should clearly describe areas you may need clarification and/or guidance for the continuation of your work on the Personal Legislative Agenda.

RERSPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST

Ta Alf

Questions Regarding the Personal Legislative Agenda

            As I continue developing my Personal Legislative Agenda, I aim to address the mental health needs of vulnerable populations, particularly African American and Hispanic communities, while aligning with evidence-based advocacy principles. However, there are key areas where I seek clarification to refine my approach and enhance the impact of my legislative efforts.

1.
How can I effectively align my legislative agenda with existing policies to maximize impact and address implementation gaps?

In advocating for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for behavioral health services and expanding telepsychiatry, aligning my efforts with established policies like the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) is critical. While these policies have improved access to mental health care, challenges such as inconsistent enforcement and limited funding mechanisms hinder their full impact, particularly in marginalized communities (Melek et al., 2019; Bishop et al., 2021).

Identifying areas where my agenda can complement these initiatives and address existing gaps is vital. For example, stricter enforcement of MHPAEA provisions could enhance access by reducing barriers like limited provider networks. However, I am unsure how to navigate the complexities of these frameworks to identify specific areas where my efforts can strengthen or build upon them. What strategies can I use to ensure my agenda complements ongoing initiatives without redundancy? Additionally, how can I effectively position my agenda to leverage the momentum of existing policies while addressing persistent disparities in care?

2.
What strategies can I use to anticipate and address opposition to my legislative proposals?

Advocating for mental health policies often encounters resistance, particularly due to funding concerns or misconceptions about mental health care. For example, while telepsychiatry gained support during the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns about its long-term viability and cost implications remain (Uscher-Pines et al., 2022). Additionally, cultural stigma and political differences can create barriers to acceptance, especially when addressing the needs of vulnerable populations like African Americans and Hispanics (Varker et al., 2020).

To ensure the success of my legislative agenda, I need guidance on preemptively addressing such challenges. Would conducting cost-benefit analyses or presenting data from states that have implemented similar policies effectively mitigate concerns? Additionally, how can I build coalitions or leverage stakeholder support to counter opposition rooted in stigma or differing priorities? Understanding how to navigate resistance is critical for ensuring the sustainability of policies aimed at improving mental health care for vulnerable populations.

By addressing these questions, I hope to refine my legislative agenda into a framework that is both impactful and resilient. This approach will enable me to better serve vulnerable communities, reducing mental health stigma and expanding access to equitable, effective care.

References

Bishop, T. F., Press, M. J., Keyhani, S., & Pincus, H. A. (2021). Acceptance of insurance by psychiatrists and the implications for access to mental health care. 
JAMA Psychiatry, 78(2), 113-121.

Melek, S. P., Norris, D. T., & Paulus, J. (2019). Parity compliance: Ensuring equal coverage for mental health and substance use services. Milliman Research Report.

Uscher-Pines, L., Sousa, J., & Raja, P. (2022). Telehealth use during the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of virtual care. 
Health Affairs, 41(2), 289-295.

Varker, T., Brand, R. M., Ward, J., & O’Donnell, M. (2020). Efficacy of telehealth interventions for reducing mental health conditions in adults: A systematic review. 
World Psychiatry, 19(2), 214-225.