HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

Student Name

Capella University

HRM-FPX5401 The Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Environment of Health Care

Prof. Name

Date

The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

This lecture aims to establish the core principles of law and ethics that underpin human resource practices at Vila Health. It offers a practical outlook on how the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) impacts our organization. By providing context for healthcare’s legal, ethical, and regulatory terrain, this presentation seeks to empower HR professionals with vital skills needed in handling intricate moral situations they may face as outlined by the SHRM Body of Competency Knowledge, which recognizes their critical role in making substantial ethical decisions while working within complex frameworks (SHRM, 2018). Newly appointed HR professionals will gain insight into the legal and moral principles serving as a foundation for human resource policies in their organization through this valuable information.

The delivery of healthcare is influenced by various elements, including regulatory environments, industry structures, and payer systems. The regulatory environment sets standards, controls costs, and protects patient rights, while the industry structure consists of various stakeholders, such as hospitals, private practices, insurance companies, pharmaceutical firms, and technology providers. This structure can lead to reduced competition, increased costs, and a decrease in quality of care.

Payer systems, such as private insurance and government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid, determine access to care, service coverage, and reimbursement rates. These systems can lead to disparities in care quality based on income or employment status. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010 to address these issues, expanding access to health insurance, controlling costs, and improving care quality. The ACA is a legal framework that addresses systemic issues by expanding coverage and attempting to contain costs. These elements collectively shape the landscape of healthcare delivery.

HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

A comprehensive healthcare reform is the PPACA. Three primary objectives were sought to be accomplished with the introduction of a law in March 2010 (ASPA, 2022):

• Families with an income within the 100% range can be available for affordable health insurance through this program; the quantity is equivalent to four times the FPL.
• Not all states provide access to the Medicaid program for adults whose income falls below a specific threshold, despite it being an option for expansion; the Federal Poverty Level is exceeded by 138 percent.
• Endorses medical treatment to decrease healthcare costs (ASPA, 2022).

A plethora of ethical issues confront policies in healthcare systems. Pozgar (2020) explains that ethical theories seek to arrange people’s thoughts about life and action, offering a basis for moral analysis and direction towards effective decision-making. In this regard, the ensuing bullet points will delve into commonly deliberated ethical theories regarding the PPACA case.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be evaluated through various ethical theories, each offering unique insights into its ethical validity. Utilitarianism, deontological ethics, Rawlsian justice, virtue ethics, social contract theory, and principles are all important perspectives on the ACA’s ethical implications. Utilitarianism posits that the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being. The ACA’s provisions, such as reducing the number of uninsured Americans, improving healthcare access, and ensuring affordability, align with utilitarian principles. Deontological ethics, particularly Kantian ethics, emphasizes the importance of fairness, justice, and respecting individuals’ rights. Rawlsian justice, as proposed by John Rawls, aims to arrange social and economic inequalities to benefit the least advantaged members of society. The ACA can be evaluated by examining how it attempts to improve the health and economic status of disadvantaged groups by expanding Medicaid and providing subsidies to make health insurance more affordable.

HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

Virtue ethics emphasizes the development of good character traits and the importance of moral virtues such as compassion, empathy, and justice. Social contract theory, proposed by philosophers like Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, considers the legitimacy of laws and policies based on hypothetical agreements made among individuals in a society. Principlism, often used in biomedical ethics, involves four key principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Each theory underscores different aspects of the Act’s impact on society, helping to assess its moral and ethical legitimacy in promoting health equity and the well-being of the population.

The future of public healthcare in the U.S. is expected to be shaped by regulatory reforms, technological innovations, and evolving societal needs. Key factors include regulatory environment adjustments, technological innovations, a focus on preventive care, addressing health disparities, integrating behavioral health services with primary care, public health emergency preparedness, financial sustainability, and community involvement and advocacy. Regulatory frameworks will evolve to promote cost-efficiency, improved patient outcomes, and accountability. Technological advancements, such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and electronic health records, will play a pivotal role in transforming healthcare delivery. Preventative strategies, such as regular screenings and vaccinations, will become more prevalent, potentially lowering disease incidence and healthcare costs. Addressing social determinants of health, such as income, education, and living conditions, will be critical. Financial sustainability will be crucial, with innovative payment models and community involvement ensuring the system remains accessible, effective, and economically viable.

HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

Healthcare, being a multifaceted and dynamic field, requires effective communication. This sector presents a multifaceted landscape, with regulatory demands, employee needs, and the need to provide high-quality patient care. This essay examines the significance of communication for HR professionals in healthcare and highlights the importance of clarity, tone and style, as well adherence to organizational standards, professionalism, and scholarly considerations. Taking into account these elements, HR professionals can provide valuable insights into how they can communicate their purpose to the organization. The communication approach in healthcare HR is multifaceted, involving employees, management, patients, and external stakeholders. Efforts in communication play an important role in resolving conflicts, improving employee relations efforts, and supporting training and development initiatives.

Effective communication can have a significant impact on both organizational performance and patient satisfaction, particularly in an industry where there’s little opportunity for error. The absence of misunderstandings in healthcare, particularly among those with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, is an important factor to prevent such errors in patient care or non-compliance with regulations. The establishment of expectations and feedback is essential for employee performance and development, as it facilitates clear communication. Both the manner and style of communication hold great value. Building trust and rapport is possible by adjusting the tone and style to the audience’s preferences and the context, which are crucial for effective HR management. Offering evidence of its effectiveness in other organizations or citing relevant studies can help stakeholders see the benefits of a new policy.

Evidence-based communication is essential for making informed decisions and justifying actions in healthcare, especially when a decision can have significant consequences. Professional communication requires a commitment to organizational standards. When an organization is focused on providing patient-centered care, its HR communications should emphasize the significance of empathy and teamwork alongside continuous improvement. Creating a consistent message promotes team unity and aligns employees with the organization’s goals. The written communication of HR personnel must be professional and free from errors.

HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

The incorporation of scholarly writing standards involves the use of credible sources, proper citations, and a structured method of information presentation. It is common for HR personnel in the healthcare industry to need to convey intricate information, such as changes in healthcare legislation or the arrival of new technologies. The application of scholarly writing practices guarantees that the information is factual, insightful, and coherent. It is crucial to consider this when interacting with healthcare professionals who require evidence-based information for decision-making. There are several ways in which HR professionals can communicate. Employees can benefit from communication skills training, which can equip them with the necessary tools to interact with colleagues and patients. Communication is a crucial aspect of healthcare, but there are several obstacles that HR personnel encounter. One of the challenges is managing a diverse workforce, improving crisis communication, and complying with regulatory requirements.

The Impact of Effective Communication. Communication plays a crucial role in healthcare HR. Positive organizational culture is established through effective communication, resulting in employees feeling valued and understood. Additionally, good communication helps to reduce risks, ensure compliance, and protect the organization’s reputation. Finally, communication is a skill that HR personnel in the healthcare sector must possess. The task requires conveying a clear sense of purpose, using appropriate language and style, providing evidence, and complying with organizational, professional, or scholarly writing guidelines. The effectiveness of communication is determined by the organizational culture, employee motivation, and patient care.

HRM FPX 5401 Assessment 1 The Foundation of Law and Ethics in Healthcare

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has had a profound impact on the delivery of healthcare in the United States. By increasing access to health insurance, improving the quality of care, and reducing costs, the ACA aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare system. Evaluating the ACA through various ethical theories provides a deeper understanding of its moral implications and the values it represents. Looking ahead, the future of public healthcare in the United States will be shaped by a range of factors, including political, economic, and technological developments. As HR professionals in healthcare, it is crucial to communicate these complex issues effectively and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

References

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). (2022, March 17). About the Affordable Care Act. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.htm

Pozgar, G. D. (2020). Legal and Ethical Essentials of Health Care Administration (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Society for Human Resource Management. (2018). The SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge. Retrieved from www.shrm.org