Students are required to describe, and analyze a pending or proposed health policy under
consideration by a legislative/government body and prepare a policy brief to be presented to
a local, state or federal legislator/ leader/decision maker. The students will analyze a policy
of their choice that is currently under review by policy makers. For example, students may
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NUR702 SP 2024
explore policies related to access to care, opioid epidemic, vaccine mandates, the expansion of
Medicare coverage to the NP or independent practice authority for APRNs in various states.
These are some of the many policies you may choose to write on. Please explore the various
government websites or policy sources to locate a policy you want to analyze and present.
The paper requires the analysis of the chosen policy, including background information for
the policy, specifics of the policy (implementation, impact, costs) and the pros and cons of
the policy. Be clear on why you chose the particular policy and take a stand on the selected
policy (in favor or against). Please find policy brief resources on Blackboard course site.
Further, both Kaiser Health News and Health Affairs Journal provide exemplars of policy briefs.
As you conduct the policy analysis, consider the policy’s impact, effectiveness, and pros and
cons or unintended effects on the target population, health care related cost, and the role of
the nurse. Support your writing with scholarly evidence.
The paper should be succinct and written to and for a policy maker, who is most likely not a
health care professional. The paper should be approximately 5 pages in length (excluding the
title page and references. The paper must follow APA format. Please see grading rubric posted
in Blackboard for further details.
