Summary of the Health Economic Issue Essay

Summary of the Health Economic Issue Essay

 

Lobbying for Change

 

Director of Public Health Services

Minneapolis Department of Health

[Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Address the Increasing Cost of Prescription Drugs Among the Elderly Population

Dear Director of Public Health Services,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to bring your attention to a critical health-economic issue that is affecting the elderly population in our community, which is the escalating cost of prescription drugs. As a concerned citizen, I believe it is imperative for the Minneapolis Department of Health to take prompt action to alleviate the burden faced by our elderly citizens who rely on medication for their well-being.

Summary of the Health Economic Issue

The healthcare economic issue I am addressing is the increasing cost of prescription drugs among the elderly population. This issue significantly impacts the elected officials’ constituents, particularly the elderly individuals in our community. With rising prescription drug prices, our elderly citizens face financial constraints that force them to choose between purchasing medications and meeting other basic needs. As a result, many of them are unable to afford the medications they need for their well-being, leading to compromised health outcomes and increased hospitalizations (Bhatt, 2022). The escalating cost of prescription drugs is disproportionately affecting the elderly, who often have limited incomes and a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses. Immediate action is needed to address this issue and ensure our elderly population can access the necessary medications without financial hardship.

Positive Outcomes Expected

Addressing the increasing cost of prescription drugs among the elderly will bring about several positive outcomes for our communities and organizations. Firstly, affordable access to prescription medications will enhance the overall health and well-being of our elderly citizens, leading to improved quality of life and increased productivity (Bhatt, 2022). With better medication adherence, we can expect to see a decrease in preventable hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and other healthcare costs, ultimately relieving the strain on our healthcare system and reducing overall healthcare expenditure. Furthermore, by addressing this issue, we can ensure that our elderly population remains active and engaged members of our communities. Accessible and affordable medications will empower them to actively participate in social and economic activities, contributing to the vitality and vibrancy of our local organizations and businesses (Gast & Mathes, 2019). The well-being of our elderly citizens is closely intertwined with the well-being of our communities as a whole.

Negative Outcomes Expected if the Issue is not Addressed.

On the other hand, if this issue is not addressed, we can anticipate negative outcomes for our communities and organizations. The financial burden of high prescription drug costs will continue to weigh heavily on our elderly population, leading to increased healthcare disparities, poorer health outcomes, and diminished quality of life (Park et al., 2019). We may witness a rise in preventable hospitalizations and emergency room visits as seniors are forced to forgo necessary medications due to unaffordability. Additionally, the strain on healthcare resources and services will persist, potentially resulting in increased costs for both individuals and organizations.

Impact on Health

The increasing cost of prescription drugs among the elderly population has significant implications for healthcare institutions and providers at various levels. Scholarly sources indicate that rising drug prices lead to financial strain on healthcare institutions, forcing them to allocate more resources to pharmaceutical expenses and potentially limiting their ability to provide comprehensive care (Amoud et al., 2020). At the local, state, or national level, the impact of this issue can be observed through reduced access to necessary medications for elderly individuals, compromising their health outcomes and exacerbating healthcare disparities. The economic burden falls not only on the elderly but also on healthcare providers and insurance systems, leading to higher healthcare costs and potentially widening existing inequities in access to care (Amoud et al., 2020).

To address the issue, proposed changes or actions can include advocating for policy reforms to promote transparency in drug pricing, exploring cost containment strategies such as bulk purchasing or negotiation of drug prices, supporting initiatives to increase generic drug availability, and promoting research and development of affordable alternatives (Castañeda-Orjuela et al., 2020). Incorporating principles of social justice, structural racism, and inequity is essential when addressing this issue. It is crucial to consider how prescription drug costs disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including minority populations and low-income individuals. Policy solutions should strive to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to affordable medications for all segments of the population, promoting health equity and social justice.

Resource Planning

As a nurse, my personal, professional, and organizational experiences have played a significant role in resource planning and risk analysis for addressing the economic issue of increasing prescription drug costs among the elderly population. From a personal standpoint, witnessing the struggles of elderly patients trying to afford their medications has deeply impacted me. It has motivated me to advocate for change and allocate the necessary resources to address this issue effectively (Amoud et al., 2020).  Understanding the financial burden and its impact on health outcomes has informed my approach to resource planning. Professionally, working directly with elderly patients has provided insights into the complexities they face in managing their healthcare costs. This experience has highlighted the need for comprehensive resource planning to ensure accessibility to medications and promote patient well-being. It has also emphasized the importance of collaborating with other healthcare professionals and stakeholders to develop effective strategies.

From an organizational perspective, my hospital’s experiences in managing medication costs and patient outcomes have guided resource planning efforts. Analyzing data on medication utilization, costs, and patient outcomes has allowed for informed decision-making when allocating resources and implementing changes to address the issue (Park et al., 2019). Regarding risk analysis, these experiences have made me aware of potential challenges and barriers that may arise when implementing changes. This includes financial constraints, resistance from pharmaceutical companies, regulatory hurdles, and the need to maintain quality care while managing costs. Conducting a thorough risk analysis allows for the identification of potential obstacles and the development of mitigation strategies to ensure the success of the project.

 

Yours Sincerely

Name

Signature

 

References

Amoud, R., Grindrod, K., Cooke, M., & Alsabbagh, M. W. (2020). The Impact of Prescription Medication Cost Coverage on Oral Medication Use for Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Healthcare policy = Politiques de Sante, 16(2), 82–100. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcpol.2020.26351

Bhatt, P. (2022). The Impact of Rising Prescription Drug Costs on the Elderly in the United States. Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/418/

Castañeda-Orjuela, C., García-Molina, M., & De la Hoz-Restrepo, F. (2020). Is There Something Else Beyond Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Public Health Decision Making? Value in Health Regional Issues, 23, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vhri.2019.09.009

Gast, A., & Mathes, T. (2019). Medication adherence influencing factors—an (updated) overview of systematic reviews. Systematic Reviews, 8, 1–17. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-019-1014-8

Park, E., Kim, D., & Choi, S. (2019). The impact of differential cost sharing of prescription drugs on the use of primary care clinics among patients with hypertension or diabetes. Public Health, 173, 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2019.05.005

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Instructions to Govern Lamont

For this assessment, you will develop a letter to an official in your state or local government (choose the individual in the level of government that will best address your issue). The purpose of this letter is to advocate for action with regards to your chosen health care environment issue. Remember, when writing the letter, you must use your personal address and telephone number unless you are exclusively representing a group or your organization.

Be sure to address each main point. Review the assessment instructions and scoring guide, including performance-level descriptions for each criterion, to ensure you understand the work you will be asked to complete and how it will be assessed. In addition, note the requirements for document format and length and for supporting evidence.

Overall, your assessment submission will be assessed on the following criteria:

Summarize the health care economic issue that you are addressing.
Keep this brief but try to include details about how the issue is currently impacting the elected officials’ constituents.

Explain the positive outcomes that will occur if the issue is addressed and the negative outcomes that will occur if the issue is not addressed.

Tailor this messaging to focus on the impacts in the communities and organizations that are relevant to the elected official you are writing to.

Summarize key information from scholarly sources to support the importance of addressing the issue; the issue’s overall impact on health care at the institutional, local, state, or national level; and proposed changes or actions to address the issue.

Cite at least five current, scholarly sources that support your argument and help provide the elected official (who may not have a detailed knowledge of the health care environment) with an understanding of the issues, changes, or actions that you are proposing to drive improved outcomes.

Identify the impact your issue has on health care institutions and health care providers at the local community, state, or national level.

Make sure to include information from both a health care and an economic perspective. An elected official may be more responsive to one perspective than another.

Incorporate social justice, structural racism, and inequity principles when picking resources and making recommendations for change in your assessment.

Explain how personal, professional, and organizational experiences have informed the resource planning and risk analysis for working toward addressing the economic issue.

Think about how your experiences (the experiences can be personal, professional, or from your team’s perspective or experience) affect how you have planned for the resources needed to implement your desired changes or actions. How did this impact your approach to conducting a risk analysis on the project?

Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly communication standards.

Remember to conclude your letter with a summary of your position on the issue and a compelling reason that the elected official should act in your favor and support your issue or initiative.

Additional Requirements

Audience: Make sure you are addressing your letter to an actual local or state official.

For most states, you can use the following resource:

Assessment 4: Lobbying for Change.

For local officials, search your city’s government website for officials and their positions.

Length of Submission: 1–2 double spaced pages. Your letter needs to be succinct and persuasive.

Number of References: Cite at least five sources of evidence to support your identification of the gap. This could be public health data, a peer-reviewed journal article, or another scholarly source.

APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style.