Health Policy Analysis Selection Summary
Ty Herring
Samford University
MHCA619.WB1
Dr. HaunFebruary 7, 2022
Health Policy Analysis Selection Summary
A policy issue that is contemporary in the United States is access and coverage of mental healthcare. Using data from Mental Health America in 2020, there was over 4.7 million adults with a mental illness that were uninsured. This could be due to Medicaid not being expanded in some states of the country. It was also reported that over 26 million adults who have a mental illness were gone untreated. With the lack of health behavior providers throughout the counties of the United States, this could be a reason as well (Beck et al., 2018). These barriers show possibly why Americans cannot gain access and coverage.
The environment surrounded by this policy is trying to allow more individuals access to mental healthcare. This would start with trying to get more individuals covered for this type of healthcare treatment. The Biden-Harris administration has been campaigning Connecting Kids to Coverage. This is a national outreach and enrollment initiative that reaches out to families with children and teens eligible for Medicaid and CHIP (Improving access and care for…, 2021). This sort of initiative shows what can be accomplished to allow for more Americans to have coverage. With also the lack of acknowledgement and awareness about mental health is done through this as well.
Mental health has been looked down on in the past and in recent years, but this topic is starting to gain some spotlight. It is important to notice our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, all are part of our mental health. It has an impact on how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with people, and make decisions. Mental health is crucial at all stages of life, from birth to adolescent to adulthood and old age (Mental health, 2021). From a manager’s perspective, this would negatively impact my organization if my employees were not taken care of. The organization would not be able to function smoothly or properly if my employees are not able to think, feel, and act suitably.
My ideas of solutions for this policy issue vary. I believe gaining access and coverage should start with bringing more awareness to mental health and how detrimental this can be to one’s health if not taken care of. So, campaigning for awareness and the different types of health services available then can we focus on gaining coverage. The following are some bullet pointed ideas of different solutions.
Using influential celebrities to spread awareness and importance of mental health and services
Expansion of Medicaid
Increase of funding to train and develop behavioral health workers
Creating more Urgent Care like behavior health centers
More tele-psychiatry support
Prevention of mental health disorders
To make any of the policies successful, having key stakeholders are imperative. Stakeholders such as consumer/family groups, mental health workers, government agencies, and academic institutions. Consumer/family groups should consist of individuals speaking on the behalf of their own healthcare treatments. Mental health workers from general health and mental health facilities should talk about their knowledge about mental health and their services. Government agencies such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and Mental Health America. Academic institutions also being involved would influence thousands of people. I wouldn’t think barrier stakeholders would exist in this process. The only individuals I could think to stop people from gaining access to treatment is the media. The media can perceive mentally ill individuals as a burden and make people believe they are not normal people.
Purpose:
The purpose of this second part of your health policy analysis paper, is to build upon your selected current healthcare or public health policy issue. By doing so, you will dive into more detail on an appropriate health policy solution to the policy issue by walking through the policy-making process. I would be happy to discuss topic areas with you and/or to provide feedback on your selection.
This assignment aligns well with the following student learning outcomes:
SLO1: Explain the contemporary U.S. healthcare policy environment and its history.
SLO 2: Discuss major laws, regulations, and policies in healthcare.
SLO5: Identify and examine all the various stages in the healthcare policy-making process.
Instructions:
Select a policy solution from the first part of your health policy analysis paper.
Walkthrough components of the policy-making process and how this policy can successfully be implemented
Use at least 5 references and APA formatting.
Purdue University provides an excellent student paper example that utilizes the APA 7th Edition format. Use this example as a guide for APA formatting your assignment.
An identified, focused health policy solution 4 pts
Expert
A focused health policy solution is identified and is thorough. Key points are synthesized and supported with citations. 3 pts
Proficient
A focused health policy solution is identified and is thorough. Key points are synthesized and articulated well. 2 pts
Competent
A focused health policy solution is partially included 1 pts
Acceptable
A focused health policy solution is partially identified 0.5 pts
Novice
A focused health policy solution is not identified 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCoverage of the topic 4 pts
Expert
Paper fully demonstrates coverage of the topic 2.4 pts
Advanced Beginner
Paper partially demonstrates coverage of the topic 1 pts
Novice
Paper does not demonstrate coverage of the topic 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeApplication to the policy making process 4 pts
Expert
Application to the policy making process is identified and supported with references 3 pts
Proficient
Application to the policy making process is partially identified and supported with references 2.4 pts
Competent
Application to the policy making process is identified but not supported with references 2 pts
Advanced Beginner
Application to the policy making process is sparsely covered 1 pts
Novice
Application to the policy making process is not identified 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
4 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeYour personal impressions/opinions 3 pts
Expert
Personal impressions/opinions regarding topic are thoroughly identified linking course content and past learning experiences. This is also located in the conclusions section of the paper. 2 pts
Proficient
Personal impressions/opinions regarding the topic are thoroughly identified and located in the conclusions section of the paper but lack linkage to course content and past learning experiences. 1.8 pts
Advanced Beginner
Personal impressions/opinions regarding the topic are sparsely identified and/or not located in the conclusions section of the paper. 1.8 pts
Competent
Personal impressions/opinions regarding the topic and are partially identified and located in the conclusions section of the paper. 1 pts
Novice
Personal impressions/opinions regarding the topic are not identified. 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLength3 pts
Expert
Paper is between 5 – 8 pages (excludes the title page, abstract/executive summary, tables/figures, and reference pages) 1.8 pts
Proficient
Paper is less than 5 pages OR more than 8 pages (excludes title page, abstract/executive summary, tables/figures, and reference pages) 1 pts
Advanced Beginner
Paper is less than 2 pages (excludes title page, abstract/executive summary, tables/figures, and reference pages) 1 pts
Competent
Paper is less than 3 pages (excludes title page, abstract/executive summary, tables/figures, and reference pages) 1 pts
Novice
Paper is less than 1 page (excludes the title page, abstract/executive summary, tables/figures, and reference pages) 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization2 pts
Expert
Paper has a strong structure, logical flow, and a clear progression of ideas. 1.5 pts
Advanced Beginner
Paper has a weak structure, but an understandable thought process. 1 pts
Novice
The paper was incoherent or unorganized with little agreement between ideas. 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeMechanics2 pts
Expert
There are no errors (spelling, punctuation, grammar) in the paper. Learner demonstrates a high degree of skill, complexity, and style. 1.5 pts
Proficient
There are little to no errors (spelling, punctuation, grammar). Demonstrates a high degree of skill, complexity, and style. 1.2 pts
Competent
There are some errors, but it does not detract from the overall paper. The writing is competent. 1 pts
Advanced Beginner
There are some errors that are detracting from the overall paper’s quality. The writing is competent but in need of improvement. 0.5 pts
Novice
There are many errors making the paper difficult to read and/or understand. 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Format 1.5 pts
Expert
The paper follows all APA format guidelines including the headings, margins, font, spacing, etc. 1.25 pts
Proficient
There is 1 mistake to the APA format 0.9 pts
Competent
There are 2 mistakes to the APA format 0.5 pts
Advanced Beginner
There are 3 mistakes to the APA format. 0.25 pts
Novice
The APA format is not followed. 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
1.5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA References 1.5 pts
Expert
There are at least 5 references 1.25 pts
Proficient
There are 4 or less references 1 pts
Competent
There are 3 or less references 0.5 pts
Advanced Beginner
There are 2 or less references 0.25 pts
Novice
There is 1 or less references 0 pts
No Knowledge
No submission
References
2020 access to Care Data. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/2020/mental-health-america-access-care-data
Beck, A. J., Page, C., Buche, J., Rittman, D., & Gaiser, M. (2018, December). Estimating the distribution of the U.S. psychiatric … University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://behavioralhealthworkforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Y3-FA2-P2-Psych-Sub_Full-Report-FINAL2.19.2019.pdf
Mental health policy plans and program (updated version). Geneva, World Health Organization, 2005 (Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package).
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, September 1). Mental health. MedlinePlus. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/mentalhealth.html
The United States Government. (2021, October 19). Fact sheet: Improving access and care for youth mental health and substance use conditions. The White House. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/19/fact-sheet-improving-access-and-care-for-youth-mental-health-and-substance-use-conditions/
