It is evident from this weeks readings that healthcare spending in the United States far exceeds that of other countries, without resulting in significantly better population health outcomes or experiences with care. Reduction in healthcare spending is necessary for the sustainability of the US economy. The Affordable Care Act is a government effort to address these issues.Based on your reading assignments and your exploration of related websites (such as The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS] website on financing and the KFF Commission) what do you see as the key factors driving the cost of health care. Take one of these factors and describe an action that does, or has potential to, decrease spending without reducing quality of care. What can you as a nurse or other healthcare professional do to influence adaption of fiscally responsible practice or policy building? Provide some evidence to support your idea.

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The readings this week focus on issues related to the nursing workplace and workforce as well as issues specific to advanced practice nursing. For our discussion this week, please choose to respond to one of the following discussion questions. Please ensure you read other students’ posts and make sure one of your replies is to the question you did not select.

The multiple entry points into the profession of nursing has been a debate for over fifty years. Is the current effort to produce a more educated workforce consistent with this unresolved situation? Please discuss any programs or incentives for nurses advancing their education at your organization. Do you feel that advancing one’s education is valued by your organization and worthwhile? What is the position, if any, of your professional organization on advancing nurses’ education?
To meaningfully address the nursing shortage, policy initiatives must take a multi-pronged approach addressing the need to expand the workforce, increase diversity among nurses, and retain experienced nurses. What steps can be instituted at the management level to address one or more of these goals? Can you identify any larger policy issues beyond your own organization that may address issues related to the workforce?