Running head: ANALYSIS OF A U.S.

HEALTH CARE POLICY 1

Analysis of a U.D Health Care Policy

Trang Nguyen

Grand Canyon University: NSG-436

July 14, 2019

ANALYSIS OF A U.S. HEALTH CARE POLICY 2

Analysis of a U.S Health Care Policy

The biggest ongoing controversial topic happening in the United States right now is

health care reform. It is hard to believe that a country so advanced and so well developed is still

having continuing issues with its health care system. Nonetheless, there are countless of

organizations and individuals that create what we refer to as health care policies, to help reshape

and reform the system that we know of today. A current policy that I believe to be of great

significance is one proposed by the American Public Health Association that opposes the

separation of immigrant and refugee children and families at the U.S. border. I will further be

discussing the influence of stakeholders, impact of the policy on individuals, impact on nursing

practice and the delivery of care, and changes to be made.

Summary of Policy

The separation of immigrant families and refugee children at the U.S.-Mexico border is

an ever-growing public health crisis that will possibly negatively affect these families for years

to come. Policy number LB-18-01 from the American Public Health Association calls on the

United States government to reunite the separated families, to ratify the United Nations

Convention on the Rights of the Child, to prosecute human rights violations, and to conduct

research on the tragic consequences of separating families and children (APHA, 2018). This

escalating situation not only is a public health issue, it interferes with basic human rights, hinders

spiritual and cultural beliefs, will create lasting impact on the mental and physical health of those

involved.

Stakeholder Influence

The major stakeholders involved with this policy included APHA members, the executive

board, the Joint Policy Committee, and the Governing Council. The members of APHA
Running head: ANALYSIS OF A U.S. HEALTH CARE POLICY 3

influence policies such as this one by being able to have the capability to develop them.

Members have an obligation to stay updated on process deadlines, revise ongoing proposed

policy statements, and follow the author guidelines. In addition, the Executive Board monitors

the development process of the policy to enforce adherence to the principles set by the

Governing Council. The board is also responsible for reporting any modification to maintain

transparency to the public. They influence the policy by both implementing and enforcing the set

standard of principles of the Governing Council. The Joint Policy Committee controls and

regulates by overseeing the policy statement development process annually (APHA, 2018). Key

partners of APHA include the Global Health Council, Pan American Health Organization,

United Nations Council of Organizations, and the World Federation of Public Health

Associations. These partners are essentially stakeholders within this policy and are greatly

affected because this policy deals with global health. The refugee crisis at our border is an

international threat to public health.

Positive and Negative Impact

This policy acts as a voice for immigrants forced to temporally live in detention centers

with inhumane conditions. If this policy is enacted, it will reunite separated families and

children. It will reduce the negative implications on mental and physical wellbeing for those who

are subjected to enduring the immigration process in the future (MacLean, Agyeman, Walther,

Singer, Baranowski, & Katz, 2019). This policy will also guarantee the ratification by the United

States for the principles for protection of children’s rights by the United Nation Convention. In

addition, it requests that the federal government consult with a panel of child experts to review

and create a set standard of care per necessary recommendations. I do not see any kind of

negative effects that this policy could possibly have on an individual or community.
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Factors Impacting Nursing Practice and Delivery of Care

Medical issues that involve neglect and abuse are the top complaints that immigrants in

ICE detention centers reported (Freedom for Immigrants, 2019). The delivery of care is

nonexistent due to the absence of medical professionals at these detention centers because the

government refuses to permit independent doctors in. Customs and Border Protection have the

ultimate authority over access into these detention facilities and they have denied doctors and

nurses across the nation who are willingly ready to volunteer to assist and provide medical aid.

The Trump Administration has imposed unethical regulatory guidelines that restrict the delivery

of care, especially include nursing care, to those who need it the most. Over the past year; seven

children have died in federal custody or after been released.

Proposed Changes

The policy I have chosen from the APHA is an incredibly well written plan. This policy

has a ten-step action plan that will halt the separation process of immigrant families and refugee

children at the U.S.-Mexico border. The actions necessary to take call on the help of Border

Patrol, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees, and the United Nations to ratify the Rights of the Child (Hamilton,

2011). However, one additional initiative I would add would be for Customs and Border Patrol

to grant access to independent, volunteering medical personnel to provide aid. Doctors and

nurses are needed greatly at these detention centers to treat the ongoing breakouts of infection.

By equipping each detention center with a well-trained medical staff, the risk of the spreading

infection will decrease and medical needs will be meet.

In conclusion, the policy of the APHA opposing separation of immigrant and refugee

families at the U.S.-Mexico border is one that I fully stand by. The policy is meant to halt the
Running head: ANALYSIS OF A U.S. HEALTH CARE POLICY 5

separation of families, punish human rights violations, and further continue research about the

long-lasting consequences of life in a detention center for immigrants and refugees. The major

stakeholders of this specific policy include the members who created it, the executive board, the

Joint Policy Committee, and the Governing Council. The positive impact that this policy will

have on the immigrants and refugees are endless and there truly is not one single negative issue it

can create. The Customs and Border Patrol’s refusal of medical providers to the centers is a

primary reason why the delivery of care is nonexistent. I propose that doctors, nurses, and other

licensed medical professionals have granted immunity to care for these immigrants and refugees.

I am hopeful that this policy will soon pass and action can be taken.
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References

APHA Opposes Separation of Immigrant and Refugee Children and Families at U.S. Borders.

(2018, November 13). Retrieved from https://www.apha.org/policies-and-

advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2019/01/29/separation-of-

immigrant-and-refugee-children-and-families

Detention Map & Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.freedomforimmigrants.org/detention-statistics

Hamilton, K. R. (2011). Immigrant Detention Centers in the United States and International

Human Rights Law. Berkeley La Raza Law Journal, 21, 93–132. Retrieved from

https://search-ebscohost-

com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=63231779&site=eds-

live&scope=site

MacLean, S. A., Agyeman, P. O., Walther, J., Singer, E. K., Baranowski, K. A., & Katz, C. L.

(2019). Mental health of children held at a United States immigration detention

center. Social Science & Medicine, 230, 303–308. https://doi-

org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.04.013