Discussion 1: Evidence Base in Design

When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety. In this Discussion, you will identify a recently proposed health policy and share your analysis of the evidence in support of this policy. To Prepare: • Review the Congress website provided in the Resources and identify one recent (within the past 5 years) proposed health policy. • Review the health policy you identified and reflect on the background and development of this health policy. Post a description of the health policy you selected and a brief background for the problem or issue being addressed. Explain whether you believe there is an evidence base to support the proposed policy and explain why. Be specific and provide examples. Discussion 1: Evidence Base in Design.

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The health policy under review is titled ‘Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2019’. Sponsored by Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) and introduced on 3^rd January 2019, the bill seeks to alter and establish programs related to prescription drugs and health insurance with the intention of reducing health care costs for Americans. The bill specifically focuses on thirdly aspects of health care costs. Firstly, it seeks to expand the eligibility of health insurance premium tax credit so that Americans would pay lower premiums for their health insurance. Secondly, it seeks to set limitations for repayments for excess advance payments of the premium tax credit. Thirdly, it seeks to force drug manufacturers to offer rebates for prescription drugs to low-income Americans as identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Besides that, it seeks to authorize the CMS to negotiate with drug manufactures to lower drug prices (Congress.gov, 2020). There is evidence showing that the proposals presented in the policy are valid and supporting with evidence.  Discussion 1: Evidence Base in Design.Firstly, offering tax credit essentially lowers premium costs as insurance enrollees would be required to pay lower insurance premiums. Secondly, setting repayment limitations ensures that the tax credits are moderately not to adversely affect the government tax earnings. Thirdly, forcing drug manufactures to offer rebates ensures that the American public is able to enjoy some of the financial advantages that middle men typically enjoy. Finally, allowing the CMS to negotiate prices with drug manufacturers ensures that insurance enrollees can get the best prices for prescription drugs (Young & Kroth, 2018). In this respect, the proposed health policy presents an opportunity for improving health access by making health insurance and prescription drugs more affordable.

References

Congress.gov (2020). S.3 – Keeping Health Insurance Affordable Act of 2019. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/3

Young, K., & Kroth, P. (2018). Sultz & Young’s Health Care USA: Understanding its Organization and Delivery (9^th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC. Discussion 1: Evidence Base in Design.