Changes in Health Policies

Changes in Health Policies

Introduction

Health promotion and disease prevention is one of the many important tasks that need to be paid attention to. As far as this proposal is concerned, it focuses on the importance of such a promotion at a school clinic level. Assessment will be done with regards to the need for an amendment in the section 5205 of PL 111-148.

Do nothing option

Pros

Doing nothing will not need additional funding.

The grant program will still be focused for construction of, and equipment for, new school-based health clinics (American Nurses Association, 2010).

The grant program will still be focused to provide funding to existing school-based health clinics for operation, equipment acquisition, training, and salaries of personnel (American Nurses Association, 2010).

Cons

Nothing would change if nothing is done.

The U.S. large budget hole caused by high health care spending will continue to rise, causing further burden on the U.S.'s economy (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012).

The health conditions and future quality of children's life will continue to decrease as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices (Pender, Murdaugh, & Parsons, 2011).

Incremental change option

Pros

School-based health clinics will begin to implement health promotion and disease prevention programs that will influence children's healthy lifestyle choices.

Funding allocated for grant programs on school-based health clinics will not drastically be affected if health promotion and disease prevention programs are included.

The spending of U.S. Gross Domestic Product Health on health care conditions that are preventable with public health interventions will gradually decrease (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012).

Cons

Funding for grant programs will not immediately be available for the operation of health promotion and disease prevention programs in the school-based health clinics.

The government effort to improve the nation's high health care spending will still be not enough because of not fully investing on children's health education and programs (Guyer, et al., 2013).

The government's effort to raise the quality of medical practice and health care will still be weak due to minimal health policies and guidelines aiming on the health of young children (Guyer, et al., 2013).

Major change option

Pros

Inclusion of health promotion and disease prevention programs will benefit the nation on the long term effect of healthy society (Guyer, et al., 2013).

The spending of U.S. Gross Domestic Product Health on health care conditions that are preventable with public health interventions will significantly decrease (Harvard School of Public Health, 2012).

Majority of schools will achieve healthy school environment; influencing ...