Related Roles & Relevant Regulatory and Statutory Mechanisms

Key governmental agencies in policies related to diabetes include (Patton, et al., 2015):

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Deparment of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

In 2018, Governor Ducey signed House Bill 2258, which required that a diabetes action plan team be established in the department of health services and include team members from the Arizona health care cost containment system (AHCCCS), the public safety personnel retirement system, the Arizona state retirement system, the department of administration benefits services division, and stakeholder organizations, including insurers, a nationally recognized diabetes association, and the Arizona, diabetes coalition (AZDHS, 2019).  This action plan team should create a report every two years, as discussed in the first post.  The stakeholders who contributed to the 2019 action plan included Vitalyst Health Foundation, American Diabetes Association (ADA), Arizona Diabetes Coalition and Leadership Council, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (Arizona State Legislature, 2019).

CMS is very influential in administrative health care; this agency regulates payment and approval for Medicare beneficiaries, after organizations and individuals contribute opinions and comments (Patton, et al., 2015).  This is another key time when a nurse or any person can influence rules and regulations, by contributing public comments during this period, in addition to exercising the right to vote. 

Nursing is a respected profession by many, and nurses can influence others with their thoughtful language.  Historically, nurses have been involved in policy-making by engaging in professional associations, committees, and regulatory government agencies (Patton, Zalon, & Ludwick, 2015).  Nurses are specifically helpful at determining terminology to help finalize rules and regulations.  Correct professional terminology in regulations is important at the institutional, state, and federal levels.  Policy-makers seek advice and input from the public, and the opinions of healthcare professionals is welcomed in concepts they may not be familiar with.   

Arizona Department of Health Services. (2019). House bill 2258: Diabetes action plan and report. Retrieved from https://azdhs.gov/documents/prevention/tobacco- chronicdisease/diabetes/house-bill-2258-diabetes-action-plan-report.pdf

Arizona State Legislature. (2019). Diabetes action plan team; report. Arizona Revised Statute, 36-142. Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/search/oop/qfullhit.asp?CiWebHitsFile=/ars/36/00142.htm&CiRestriction=diabetes

Patton R.M., Zalon, M.L., & Ludwick, R. (2015). Nurses making policy: From bedside to boardroom. New York: Springer.