Health Policy Paper. Health policy unfolds daily and drives clinical practice in the US. The student will investigate current policies or legislation underway for a specific health-related issue. The Student will develop a scholarly APA formatted paper supported by evidence.
Introduction to population or problem
Opioids are drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, morphine, codeine, and oxycodone that have
chemicals that act in the nervous system to relieve pain or produce a feeling of pleasure.
Individuals with opioid addiction report a compelling urge to use drugs even in times they longer
require them. The National Institute of Drug Abuse claims that approximately 2 million
individuals in the U.S. abuse opioids. As of 2016, about 42,000 people in America
succumbed to opioid-related complications. Between 21 and 29
percent of people with opioids prescriptions, the majority overdose, and 8-12 percent of
individuals develop opioid use disorder. In 2018, the overall opioid
prescribing rate in the U.S. was 51.4 in every 100 people. About
3.6 percent of youths aged 12-17 in the United States were found to misuse opioids in the
previous year. The Centers for Disease Control posited that the
annual cost burden caused by misuse of opioid in the U.S. is about $78.5 billion.
Description of how the policy is intended for a specific population, program or organization
Opioids addiction has been on the rise in America in the recent past. The Comprehensive Addiction and
Recovery Act (CARA) is a policy developed to address the epidemic of opioid. The original bill was tabled in the house during the 114th congress. It was signed into law by President Barrack Obama on July 22, 2016. The policy focuses on
prevention of opioid-related disorders and education of adults, teens, and the aging population in
the country.
Specific legislators involved in the policy development and dissemination
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act was introduced in the flour of the house
by Representative Jim Sensenbrenner and senator Sheldon Whitehouse. The act was considered by the senate judiciary before approval and passed in the Senate on May 13, 2016.
Identify the role of the APRN in assisting with the policy or refuting the policy
Advanced practice registered nurses may play a critical role in the promotion of the
CARA. The APRN may educates patients together with their families on disease prevention and
is involved in the direct treatment of illnesses. The nurses can first treat patients
with opioids use disorder and later educate them on the dangers associated with the behavior.
Additionally, APRN educates patients on the available opioid addiction preventive measures.
How the policy influences clinical practice and is used to promote best outcomes
How the policy can be used by the interprofessional team to ensure coordinated and comprehensive care for the specific population
APA format – use of primary peer-reviewed references as much as possible