Catherine Leiva Martinez University of Phoenix Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Health Policy and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse NRP/508 Eileen Beard April 16th, 2024.
Equity-Efficiency Tradeoff Editorial
As a nurse practitioner, I am deeply involved in the medical community of my locality, and I have had the opportunity to understand the delicate balance between healthcare payer system politics and the quality of patient care. Recently, I came across an article titled "Equity-Efficiency Tradeoff" by De Lancer, Julnes and Choi (2020) that has provided me with a deeper understanding of the importance of balancing equity and efficiency …show more content…
The ACA aimed to improve healthcare quality while reducing costs, which led CMS to prioritize value-based care models over traditional fee-for-service reimbursement systems (De Lancer Julnes & Choi, 2020). This transition marked a pivotal shift in CMS's approach, with increased emphasis on tying reimbursement to performance metrics and patient outcomes, aligning financial incentives with delivering high-quality care. These changes have had a significant impact on healthcare providers, as they are now incentivized to focus on patient outcomes rather than the volume of services provided. One notable initiative introduced by CMS to address both quality of care and cost reduction is the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP). HRRP incentivizes hospitals to improve care transitions and reduce avoidable readmissions by imposing financial penalties on hospitals with higher-than-expected readmission rates (De Lancer, Julnes & Choi, 2020). The impact of HRRP on disadvantaged populations must be considered. Research suggests that hospitals serving low-income and minority communities may bear a disproportionate burden of these penalties, potentially exacerbating existing healthcare disparities (De Lancer, Julnes & Choi, 2020). This underscores the need for healthcare providers to be aware …show more content…
As a nurse practitioner, I am dedicated to navigating these complexities and advocating for patient-centered care that prioritizes equity and efficiency. By working with colleagues, policymakers, and community members, we can strive towards a healthcare system that delivers high-quality care to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or background. However, achieving this balance is not without its challenges. For instance, ensuring equal access to healthcare services for all patients may require additional resources, which could potentially impact the efficiency of our operations. To overcome these challenges, we need to explore innovative solutions, such as leveraging technology to streamline processes and improve efficiency, while also advocating for policies that promote equity in