Massachusetts Healthcare Policy

Massachusetts Healthcare Policy

Massachusetts has been a leader in healthcare reform, using various techniques to increase access to treatment, cut costs, and enhance population health. The Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law, approved in 2006 to give health protections to practically all of the state's citizens, is one of the most famous measures. The law has been beneficial in lowering the number of citizens in the state who lack health insurance and increasing access to care.

According to a recent health-related news report, Massachusetts continues to experience extreme staffing shortages and excessive turnover, attributed to interruptions and postponements in patient care throughout the healthcare system. As a result, the Health Policy Commission places a high value on recognizing and addressing workforce concerns in the Commonwealth.

Notwithstanding these efforts, upstream concerns such as health inequities and socioeconomic determinants of health continue to negatively influence the health outcomes of disadvantaged populations in Massachusetts. These concerns include hunger, homelessness, a lack of affordable housing, and limited access to public transportation. In addition, the state's overall health inequalities result from these upstream challenges, which can also lead to poor health outcomes.

By offering advanced clinical competence, leadership, and advocacy for vulnerable groups, a doctorly prepared APRN might favor the general health of Massachusetts residents (De Chesnay, 2020). In addition to working cooperatively with other healthcare professionals to design and execute policies and programs that promote health equality, APRNs with doctoral training are taught to address socioeconomic determinants of health and health inequalities.

To address dietary uncertainty, a doctorly prepared APRN might work in a community health center in a low-income area of Massachusetts and collaborate with local organizations by providing dietary education, connecting patients with community resources, and supporting policy changes that advance access to healthy eating options. Also, a doctorly prepared APRN may participate in strategy advancement and promotion to influence state-level policies that affect the welfare of vulnerable populations. They can also focus on researching and evaluating healthcare initiatives to identify persuasive interventions that could advance the wellness of the state's underprivileged populations.

Research has demonstrated that APRNs can improve patient well-being outcomes, particularly in underprivileged populations (NINR, 2018). According to a National Institute of Nursing Research study, nurse practitioners (NPs) provided patients with high-quality care, resulting in fewer trips to the crisis department, decreased hospitalization rates, and improved patient satisfaction.

 A doctorly prepared APRN may significantly improve the general health of Massachusetts residents by offering cutting-edge clinical know-how, leadership, advocacy, and research to address socioeconomic determinants of health and health inequalities. It is critical to include doctorly prepared APRNs in creating, implementing, and assessing healthcare initiatives in Massachusetts to guarantee that healthcare policies and programs are efficient and equitable. 

References

De Chesnay, M. (2020). Caring for the vulnerable. Perspectives in nursing, theory, and research (5th edition) Jones & Bartlett. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311574918_Caring_for_the_Vulnerable_Perspectives_in_Nursing_Theory_Practice_and_Research

National Institute of Nursing Research. (2018). Nurse practitioners play a vital role in healthcare delivery, and improve patient outcomes. https://www.ninr.nih.gov/newsandinformation/newsandnotes/npweek18