Health Policy Analysis

Running head: Health Policy Analysis

Health Policy Analysis of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions
(HELP)
Lycia L. Harris
Jacksonville State University

Health Policy Analysis

Health Policy Analysis of U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,

Health, and Human Service, Education, and Related Services Bill
Introduction
Nurses who choose community health as their area of practice must be especially aware of
the impact government, law, and health policy on nursing, health and the communities where they
practice (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Government, law, and political action influence current
and future roles for nursing and the public that they serve and is important in developing
healthcare policy for the nation (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). It is important for professional
nurses to develop a working knowledge of government, key governmental and quasigovernmental organizations and agencies, healthcare law, the policy process and political forces
that play a role in the future of health care(Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Healthcare Privacy is
very important and it is important for policy and policy makers to reflect this fact.
The mission of The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is to improve both the
health and well-being of Americans (hhs.gov). It does so by providing effective health and human
services by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences that make up medicine, public
health, and social service (hhs.gov). Through implementation of programs and initiatives that
reach Americans at every stage of life, the Department of Health and Human Services
accomplishes its mission. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the only
government agency that is involved in protecting the health of all Americans and provides key
human services, most importantly, for those who are not quite able to help themselves (hhs.gov).
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for almost a quarter of all federal
outlays and gives out more monies for grants than any other federal agency (hhs.gov).

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HHS works with state, local and U.S. territorial governments and maintains strong
partnerships with private and non-governmental organizations to accomplish its mission through
strategies that minimize the burdens on, and increase the benefits to, the American public
(hhs.gov). This is achieved by using faith-based, and neighborhood partnerships as well as
grantees in the private sector, such as academic institutions and community-based nonprofit
organizations that provide many services at the local level. HHS also works with other federal
departments and international partners to ensure the maximum impact for the public (hhs.gov). All
legislation and other qualifying issues will be referred to the appropriate subcommittee within two
weeks of its introduction (appropriations.house.gov). The Committee will meet every first
Wednesday of the month while the House is in session if notice is given in time
(appropriations.gov).
The Chairman can call and convene, as it is deemed necessary, any additional meetings for
reviewing pending bills or resolutions. At least 24 hours before the meeting for the markup of a
bill or resolution, an announcement is made publically in an electronic form
(appropriations.house.gov). A complete record, including votes for and against the bill or
resolution and those present and not voting will be made available for public review during the
Committee Office regular business hours and electronically within 48 hours of the vote. Public
record will include a description of the amendment, motion, or other propositions addressed
(appropriations.gov). Bills or resolutions that are adopted will be made available for public
review through electronic media within 24 hours of adopting (appropriations.house.gov).
The Chairman of the Committee or chairman of its subcommittees can postpone hearings
when a record vote is ordered on the question of approving a measure or matter, or adopting an
amendment to resume proceedings on a postponed question at a later time after there has been
reasonable notice (appropriations.house.gov). When the hearings resume on the proposed

Health Policy Analysis

question or underlying proposition will remain subject to further debate or amendment to the
same extent as when the question was postponed (appropriations.house.gov).

The bill for review is the HealthCare Privacy and Anti-Fraud Act. This bill was introduced
by Senator Mario Rubio, Republican from Florida, November 7, 2013. This bill offered an
amendment to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (congress.gov). The amendment
requires the Secretary of the Health and Human Services to state clearly the guidelines and
information about liability of health care navigators in protecting privacy related to identifiable
information that is submitted, and accessed. (congress.gov). Those companies who get grants that
fall under the navigator program are required to make sure their employees have proper
background checks, take oaths that state they will not disclose private information, and meet both
educational and licensing requirements that are equal to those of health insurance agents and
brokers in the same state (congress.gov). Criminal penalties will be in acted on those who release
private information and represent themselves as a health care navigator (congress.gov).
The HHS Secretary has to make an annual list of people providing navigator services and a list
of those who are not eligible to hold these jobs or are convicted of violations (congress.gov). The
bill also provides an amendment to the Internal Revenue Code that exempts individuals from
penalty for not keeping up the minimal essential coverage for any calendar month that there is
failure that results from advice given by a navigator or person claiming to work for a navigator
service (congress.gov). This bill was read twice when it was introduced, and then it was referred
to the committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. After that, it passed in the Senate,
passed the House of Representatives, was sent to the President and subsequently was signed into
law. Our own Congressman from Alabama, Jeff Sessions, cosponsored this bill. He agreed with
Senator Rubio that all parties handling private healthcare information were to be held accountable

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when given access to private personal healthcare information and should be held highly
accountable when that information is released or misused for private or personal gain. I too,
would vote in favor of prosecution and legal action against those who misuse or sell private
patient information.
When a person is ill, it can be one of the most difficult times of their lives. Having to worry
that their private information is being misused or released is something that should not be on the
list of worries. Illness is a very vulnerable time and the patient should be assured that that
information is not released to anyone they do not authorize.

References
Http://www.appropriations.house.gov

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Http://www.congress.gov
Jack Kingston. Retrieved from: http://www.kingston.house.gov
Laura DeLauro. Retrieved from: http://www.delauro.house.gov
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2012). Public health nursing: Population-centered
health care in the community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby/Elsevier
Steve Womack. Retrieved from: http://www.womack.house.gov

Health Policy Analysis