NURS 6050 week 1 Presidential Agenda
Initial Post
The NURS 6050 week 1 Presidential Agenda healthcare topic I’ve chosen to explore that has reached the Presidential level is the Opioid epidemic. Healthcare disparities seem to arise daily. Opioid abuse /addiction occurs from the use of prescription drugs, none prescription drugs, and illegal drugs. Drug abuse has been an ongoing challenge in years past and present. According to (Murray 2019), “Millions of Americans are impacted by the opioid crises.” People are dying at alarming rates due to opioid overdoses. Drug abuse has crippled our neighborhoods and communities for decades and continues to rise.” The misuse of and addiction to opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as Fentanyl, is a serious problem that affects not only the health of many Americans but the social and economic welfare of our country” (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA,2018]). In this forum, I will explore the stance of President Bush, Obama, and Trump and their strategic efforts to address this epidemic which continues to be an ongoing concern.
Presidential Agendas
According to (Ending America’s Opioid Crises, The White House) “President Trump’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse, unveiled in 2018, confronting the driving forces behind the opioid crises”. The first part of his plan was to educate Americans on the dangerousness of abusing opioids. Secondly, he wanted to get better control over how drugs were being imported into the United States. The President plans to build a wall on the Mexican border, which tends to be a heavy supplier. He also plans to rid the state of illegal immigrant drug traffickers. His final efforts are to aid those who struggle with addiction with more treatment options. President Trump has allocated billions of funds to address the ongoing concerns of the opioid crisis. I agree with him on efforts to limit access to these drugs legally and illegally. My only opposition is that I would place more treatment centers in those areas that are largely affected, giving equal access to all that have fallen victim.
President Obama signed a Bipartisan Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic. According to (Reilly, 2016) “On July 22, President Barrack Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, legislation that is the first of its kind to offer a multifaceted federal response to the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic ravaging communities across the United States”. The purpose of this bill will be to combat the misuse of opioids and ensure that people have access to effective treatment. This plan includes proper surveillance by Medicare prescription drug plans to oversee safe prescribing. According to (Reily,2016), “In 2011, more than 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries received an opioid dose that put them at increased risk of overdose; nearly a quarter million of them received these high doses for 90 or more consecutive days”. Expanding treatment options is also at the forefront of this plan as well. Compared to President Trump’s plan, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act addresses ensuring proper treatment.
In 2002 President Bush announced his drug control strategy. President Busch stated,” We’re determined to limit drug supply, to reduce demand, and to provide addicts with effective and compassionate drug treatment” (Bush, 2002). Bush also vowed to fight drug use and substantially those who dealt with drugs. Another effort was to target drug supply by calling on the coast guards to increase border security to limit drugs from coming in overseas. The president also sought help from our Homeland Security Director to examine ways to improve our national border management system. President Bush urged Americans to do their part and not misuse and abuse drugs in any way. He also urged parents to do their jobs by educating their children on the importance of staying clear of drugs. I also agree with Presidents Bush’s efforts, and although the drug crisis has continued to arise, I believe we have become a step closer to bridging this problem with every effort put into place. My only drawback is that president Bush did not implement in his plan how he would combat the control of prescription opioids which continues to be on the rise.
While opioid addiction continues to be commonplace among Americans, as a healthcare professional, I am grateful that this is not only viewed as an addiction but also an illness that requires proper treatment. It is also important to educate our patients after major surgeries on the potential risk of becoming addicted to prescription pain medications. As healthcare providers, we must encourage patients to choose the least addictive form of medication possible. I also believe that its important to place treatment centers in the most affected areas and where patients can easily access them. I commend all three presidents for their conscious efforts to combat this epidemic. Although Americans continue to struggle with this issue, I believe with the strategies put into place, Americans have a greater chance of being liberated from this deadly addiction.
References
Murray, K. (2019).Racial Disparities in Opioid Addiction Treatment in Black and White Populations. Retrieved June,1,2020, from https.//www.addictioncenter.com/news/2019/10/racial-disparities-opioid-addiction-treatment/
Ending America’s Opioid Crises|The White House,(2020). The White House. Retrieved June 1, 2020, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/opioids/
Reilly, K., (2016). President Obama Signs Bipartisan Bill to Combat Opioid Epidemic. Retrieved on June 1, 2020, from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2016/07/22/president-obama-signs-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-opioid-epedimic
President Bush Announces Drug Control Strategy (2002). Retrieved June 2, 2020, from https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/inl/rls/rm/8451.htm.
Discussion: Presidential Agendas
Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen has a stake in healthcare policy decisions. Hence, it is little wonder why healthcare items become such high-profile components of presidential agendas. It is also little wonder why they become such hotly debated agenda items.
Consider a topic that rises to the presidential level. How did each president (Trump, Obama, and Bush) handle the problem? What would you do differently?
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and reflect on the importance of agenda setting.
- Consider how federal agendas promote healthcare issues and how these healthcare issues become agenda priorities.
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post your response to the discussion question: Consider a topic that rises to the presidential level. How did each president (Trump, Obama, and Bush) handle the problem? What would you do differently?
By Day 6 of Week 1
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by expanding on their response and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example.
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Posting |
45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s). One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. |
0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
| Main Post: Timeliness |
10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
|
| First Response |
17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Second Response |
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Participation |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
|
| Total Points: 100 |
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