Community Assessment and Analysis Presentation Assessment/Interview Select a community of interest. It is important that the community selected be one in which a CLC group member currently resides. Students residing in the chosen community should be assigned to perform the physical assessment of the community. Perform a direct assessment of a community of interest using the “Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Guide.” Interview a community health and public health provider regarding that person’s role and experiences within the community.

Community Assessment and Analysis Presentation Assessment/Interview Select a community of interest. It is important that the community selected be one in which a CLC group member currently resides. Students residing in the chosen community should be assigned to perform the physical assessment of the community. Perform a direct assessment of a community of interest using the “Functional Health Patterns Community Assessment Guide.” Interview a community health and public health provider regarding that person’s role and experiences within the community.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) holds crucial significance for community and public health as it strives to address the issue of universal healthcare and improve access to high-quality and affordable healthcare for all Americans (Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], n.d.). One of the essential provisions of the ACA is its expansion of Medicaid, allowing individuals with low socioeconomic status to access healthcare services (Green, 2018). This expansion has significant implications, as it enables millions of previously uninsured individuals to gain coverage and receive necessary medical care (DHHS, n.d.). However, while the ACA represents a significant step towards increasing accessibility and affordability, it falls short of achieving true universal healthcare, as some individuals may still face financial barriers despite the improvements (Zieff et al., 2020).  In contrast to the ACA’s approach, some countries in Europe have adopted a comprehensive free healthcare system for all citizens, exemplifying the concept of true universal healthcare (Zieff et al., 2020). This stark contrast highlights the ongoing debate and challenges faced in achieving healthcare equity and universal coverage in the United States.  Nurses play a vital role in implementing the Affordable Care Act by assisting patients in understanding their insurance coverage options and eligibility for various programs. For instance, a nurse can educate a low-income patient about their eligibility for state Medicaid services due to their income falling below the poverty line. By providing such valuable information, nurses empower patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and take advantage of available resources. The Affordable Care Act represents a crucial step towards improving community and public health by expanding access to healthcare services for individuals with low socioeconomic status (DHHS, n.d.). 

References

Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). About the Affordable Care Act. 

https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html

Green, S. Z. (2018). Community & public health: The future of healthcare. Grand Canyon   

University. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs427vn/community-and-public-health-the-future-of-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/4