Read each discussion and make one reply to each discussion. These replies do not need to be formal – but professional in nature. Include citations and references. 2 references for each reply. Ask 1 questions at the end of each reply. Each reply needs to be 137 Words
Discussion 1
I have read through our textbook’s pluralist and elitist perspectives and feel I lean more toward the elitist perspective. Wealth is power, especially in the United States, as evidenced by the wealth of our members of Congress, with over 200 members reporting a net worth of over one million dollars (Leonard & Fontelo, 2018).
However, I do not believe it is an all-or-nothing system. Though I lean towards the elitist, I also believe there is room for the pluralist perspective. Some groups “counterbalance each other” regarding policymaking in the United States (Meacham, 2021). Take for instance, the abortion issue in America, where groups like Planned Parenthood fight for abortion rights while groups like Americans United for Life fight for the pro-life side. There are many other groups on one side of an issue or another.
Planned Parenthood is an advocacy group whose mission is “to provide comprehensive sexual health care through the provision of clinical services, education, and advocacy” (Our Mission. 2023). This group has successfully influenced policymaking until the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Their advocacy and support have grown in the public perception since that ruling. As an abortion rights organization, they strongly oppose the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Planned Parenthood supporters organize large protests as key legislation comes up for votes in Congress or a reproductive issue comes before the Supreme Court. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade the states now set their own laws regarding abortion rights so the focus of both pro-abortion and pro-life groups has shifted from the federal to state governments.
References
Leonard, R., & Fontelo, P. V. (2018, Every Member of Congress’ Wealth in One Chart. Roll Call. Retrieved Sep 5, 2023, from https://www.rollcall.com/2018/03/02/every-member-of-congress-wealth-in-one-chart/
Meacham, M. R. (2021). Longest’s Health Policymaking in the United States (Seventh ed.). Health Administration Press.
Our Mission. (2023, Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida. Retrieved Sep 5, 2023, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-south-east-north-florida/who-we-are/mission
Discussion 2
Per our textbook, people who hold the pluralist perspective on the role of interest groups in policymaking believe that because so many interest groups are operating, everyone’s interests can be represented by one or more of them (Meacham & Longest, 2021). Although each viewpoint has its valid points, I feel as though the Pluralist perspective is the better choice, in my opinion. Reason being, the reality of the situation is that the average American isn’t a part of the “elite”, they are in fact working class citizens who are directly affected by policies that are made by individuals that have never been employed in those specific capacities. The pluralist theory central tenets that resonate with me are that essential links are provided between people and their government, interest groups compete among themselves for outcomes, and no group is likely to become too dominant in the competition (Meacham & Longest, 2021). Many critics of this theory feel as though trying to please the masses instead of choosing one to fully satisfy is a recipe for disaster. However, I feel as though forcing individuals to choose either or instead of attempting to give each interested party a portion of what they want, often does more harm than help. In fact, I would argue that it could cause some organizations to self-destruct from the inside out.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4 million registered nurses. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. Founded in 1896, and with members in all 50 states and U.S. territories, ANA is the strongest voice for the profession (About Ana: Ana enterprise 2017). According to their national website, only Registered Nurses are eligible to join one of their three types of membership. The ANA & State membership, the ANA only Membership, and E-membership which is only available in selected states. In 2018, ANA successfully led the charge for permanent prescribing authority of medication assisted treatment by nurse practitioners. A compromise was reached to give five years prescribing authority for Certified Nurse-Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Anesthetists who take additional continuing education in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act of 2018 (Weger, 2023).
References
ANA Enterprise. (2017, October 14). About Ana: Ana enterprise. ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/about-ana/
Weger, K. (2023, January 2). 2022 congressional spending bill included several ANA-supported nursing provisions to cap off the year. Capitol Beat. https://anacapitolbeat.org/2023/01/02/2022-congressional-spending-bill-included-several-ana-supported-nursing-provisions-to-cap-off-the-year/
Meacham, M. R., & Longest, B. B. (2021). Longest’s health policymaking in the United States (7th ed.). Health Administration Press.