Review the American Public Health Association (APHA) policy advocacy priorities at http://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/advocacy-for-public-health/priorities/building-public-health-infrastructure-and-capacity Explain why the APHA feels this is a priority area and what their general policy recommendations are. Identify active legislation related to this priority area at the state or federal level. Describe the legislation and its impact and how it aligns with the APHA recommendations. Explain how this legislation would improve or worsen health equity for those it affects.

 

American Public Health Association

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American Public Health Association

The American Public Health Association famously known as (APHA) is regarded as one of the country’s very influential advocates for health. The institution which was typically started in 1872, aimed at bringing more energy and engaging its members, attracting the current public health audience and bringing enhanced awareness to their mission. American Public Health Association is a priority due to their health concerns and services that includes ensuring access to care, safeguarding funding for critical public health programs, and doing away with health disparities (Frieden, 2010). The association is also involved with operations on other essential public health issues that include emergency preparedness, food safety, hunger, and nutrition. Some of the general policy recommendations are to improve public health research practice, giving support to the national physical activity plan, support for global preschool and reforming worker’s compensation.

One of the existing legislation that is strategically related to the American Public Health Association priorities is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that is typically abbreviated as Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is a federal statute that was passed into law by the 111th United States Congress and approved into law by the former President Barrack Obama on March 2010 (Mann, 2011). The Act provides Americans with quality health security through putting in place affordable and detailed health insurance strategies that would typically increase Americans coverage and reduce healthcare cost. This legislation is in line with the American Public Health Association priorities of bringing better health equity to every individual and protecting the rights of health and health care all Americans. Moreover, the institution is also committed to the protection of the Affordable Care Act together with the prevention and public health fund as one of their 2018 advocacy priorities.

According to Protection, P., & Act, A. C. (2010), the legislation ensures that a majority of the Americans can freely acquire or buy health insurance at a more reliable price. Moreover, the measures recommend that all adult American citizens with particular exceptions for financial hardship or religious belief be subjected to health insurance or face tax penalties.  Some of the impacts of this legislation are that it prevents insurance institutions from denying advantages to various patients who possess pre-existing health conditions. Moreover, it encourages individuals under the age of 26 to acquire insurance coverage strategically under their parent’s plan. Under the legislation, patients who have already enrolled in an insurance plan are also free to get treatment by any core care provider and get a brief of their benefits. The legislation aligns with the American Public Health Association in that; both are protecting health care rights and striving to provide the American citizens with quality health care services.

The legislation is significant in improving the health equity of patients more so the outpatient care where one will get into a doctor’s office, get his treatment or medication and walk out as health care insurance will be charged with providing the coverage. When it comes to the drug prescriptions, all persons and small-group plans will cover probably one drug in all categories and class in the United States (Protection, & Act, 2010). The law also protects the citizens who require emergency care where all the emergency room visits will be already covered under a majority of the plans. Therefore, the American Public Health Association and the Affordable Care Act are significant in the provision of better healthcare to America citizens among other health concerns in general.

 

References

Frieden, T. R. (2010). A framework for public health action: the health impact pyramid. American journal of public health, 100(4), 590-595.

Mann, J. (2011). Health and human rights. American journal of public health.

Protection, P., & Act, A. C. (2010). Patient protection and affordable care act. Public law, 111(148), 1.