- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: Ulster University
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 25
Discuss a current public controversy surrounding a healthcare issue. Examine the issue from a sociopolitical, economic, and cultural perspective. What are the ethical/ legal dilemmas that nursing professionals face when healthcare issues are politicized
Contraception and Obamacare Affiliation: Healthcare plays a significant role in thesociety. Amid immense growth and development in the healthcare sector, public controversies emerge with regard to diverse and dynamic healthcare issues. In the current times, the implementation of Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare, spurred public controversy over the issue of contraceptives (Watzman, 2013). The law provides for contraption as a preventive service in healthcare. However, cultural, religious, social, and political stakeholders remain divided over the matter.
Obamacare seeks to enhance accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare, preventive services included. Even more controversial is the idea that contraceptives should be free of charge and readily available to all Americans. While some cultural and social stakeholders welcome the move, religious groups exhibit unshaken opposition towards these services. Moreover, the politicization of the matter follows the economics involved, with some players arguing that such services constitute a heavy burden to the government. Others feel that such services are financially and economically viable to Americans.
To healthcare professionals, politicized healthcare issues come with many different ethical and legal dilemmas. On side, these professionals are required to work to the best interest of the society. On the other side, healthcare industry is subject to social, financial, legal, and political regulation. This places nursing professionals at a point where they are accountable to both healthcare consumers and industry regulatory forces. Moreover, politicized healthcare issues affect the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of service delivery. Waves of public controversy, therefore, makes it difficult for nursing professionals to make independent decisions without the influence of what happens around the healthcare setting.
Reference
Watzman, N. (2013). Contraceptives remain most controversial health care provision. Sunlight Foundation, March 22. Retrieved Feb. 18, 2014 from http://sunlightfoundation. com/blog/2013/03/22/contraceptives-remain-most-controversial-health-care-provision/
