Health System Transformation
The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes that every person has the right to the highest quality of healthcare. For decades, ANA has utilized the experience and expertise of its members to fight for meaningful health care reform.
Advocating in reaction to political policy
At the highest levels, ANA advocates for policymakers to recognize the true value of nursing, and the unique perspective that nurses have to offer. The voices of nurses are instrumental in advancing public health. The passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, often referred to as the ACA) in 2010 created essential health benefits, increasing protection for millions of people against losing or being denied insurance. ANA has outlined cornerstones of effective reform.
What’s at Stake Without the Affordable Care Act?
There have been many attempts to repeal the ACA but the strongest began at the end of 2016. In determining whether to support these proposals, ANA analyzed the proposed reforms against its four principles for health care reform. As the nation’s largest group of healthcare professionals, ANA was instrumental three times in 2017 in stopping the passage of legislation that would undermine the current health care delivery system, impacting nurses and their patients.
ANA's Principles for Health System Transformation
In December 2016, ANA delivered a letter to then President-elect Trump outlining ANA's Principles for Health System Transformation.
The system must:
ANA also spoke out against the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA) in May 2017, arguing that the reforms would endanger the health of Americans, eliminate the Prevention and Public Health fund, and fundamentally jeopardize the quality of healthcare delivery.
Reform for an aging population
In addition to shifts in political policy, the aging population may necessitate dramatic health care reform. These changing demographics present the need for more complex and longer-term care. To provide the best possible experience for patients, innovative approaches should be considered; whether through utilizing new technologies or by extending the nursing scope of practice to reflect the true extent of nursing expertise.
Promoting ongoing conversations
Like in the case of our aging population, ANA recognizes that the debate over healthcare is ongoing, and we remain committed to educating the public about how nursing impacts our lives and the profession.
ANA continues to deliver the role of the nurse and the profession in a manner that is informative, rich in resources, and solution oriented. We encourage nurses to take action, and advocate for themselves and their patients to all receive the highest quality care.
To keep abreast of ANA’s efforts, join the Capitol Beat blog and for additional details about ANA’s federal legislative agenda and /or to get involved, sign up at www.rnaction.org.
