Public Policy Meeting Assignment

Public Policy Meeting Assignment

            The coronavirus pandemic was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), and countries are putting up strict measures to contain the virus. In the US, community healthcare centers are required to be prepared to handle the pandemic, given the inability of the entire population to afford healthcare at this critical time. Adequate funding is needed to help the uninsured population access healthcare during this pandemic. This assignment will discuss a public policy meeting by the Chief Medical Officer for the National Association of Community Health centers who are being hosted in the C-SPAN studio.

Purpose of the Meeting

            The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current global pandemic involving Coronavirus, including ways in which the US is prepared to handle the case. The main goal of the meeting was to assess the preparedness of the nation in addressing the pandemic, especially among community health centers. The Coronavirus pandemic is known to hit countries the hardest when effective preventive measures are not put in place hence prompting necessary authorities to act accordingly to avoid a worse disaster.

Key Participants

            The meeting had two main participants. One was Mr. Yee, Chief Medical Officer for the National Association of Community Health Centers. The other participant was John McArdle, who is the host of the show on C-SPAN Television. Other participants include concerned citizens who call in the show to air their views or ask questions concerning the virus.

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Key Agenda Items

            Among the key agenda items discussed was the preparedness of community healthcare centers in handling the Coronavirus pandemic, including a large number of people who are not yet insured. Adequacy of medical supplies and test equipment in the community healthcare centers was also a key agenda, as well as government funding to facilitate the entire process (C-SPAN, 2020). The supply of personal protective equipment was also raised as a key agenda. Patient education concerning the risk of exposure to the virus and possible symptoms to watch out for is also a key agenda as Mr. Yee tries to create awareness on the importance of testing for the virus. The use of technology in handling the virus was also discussed, including how telemedicine can be effective in creating awareness about the virus, including the possible preventing measures.

Meeting Logistics

            The meeting has a clear goal that is directed towards addressing the coronavirus pandemic and allowing the audience to interact with the key participants through calls. The meeting takes place in a studio, and the two key participants are seated facing each other as they engage in a direct conversation. The meeting takes place for around 34 minutes, and the guest is interrogated on the ability of community healthcare centers to handle the virus and other related questions. Follow-up is also considered in the meeting, and Mr. Yen is required to ensure the funds available are evenly distributed among community healthcare centers, especially to carter to the healthcare of the uninsured population.

Background Information and a description of the Committee

            Congress and the President signed funding of $8.3 billion to aid in the fight against coronavirus. $100 million of the fund was set aside to help community healthcare centers in the fight against the virus. The money will primarily be used to acquire supplies for personal protective equipment as well as help the health centers in their preparation and response to the infection. Currently, most healthcare centers are running out of supplies and are getting overwhelmed.           One of the viewers reported that her husband had died due to overwhelming at one of the healthcare centers hence raising questions concerning the nation’s preparedness to face the pandemic. The committee of community national association of community health centers is represented by Mr. Yee, who is the Chief Medical Officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers. Mr. Yee provides necessary answers on behalf of the committee concerning the state of healthcare and created awareness on the virus and the distribution of the funds to each healthcare center.

Healthcare Centers Training of personnel on the proper protocol of giving tests

According to Mr. Yee, healthcare centers have an emergency operations plan that is consistent with FEMA rules and regulations. The frontline staff is also trained on the appropriate testing protocols. Healthcare centers can also isolate and contain the virus as they work with the CDC and other federal partners.

Key Stakeholder Positions related to the Coronavirus Pandemic

            Among the key stakeholder related to pandemic include the Community Health Care Center Association, which is striving to ensure every citizen has access to healthcare at this crucial time. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is also among the key stakeholders who are working alongside community healthcare centers to provide care based on the required guidelines to ensure the diseases are handled in the correct protocol (C-SPAN, 2020). Congress is also a key stakeholder and is responsible for funding the medical supplies and covering for the healthcare expense of citizens who are not insured.

Key interactions that occurred at the meeting

            The meeting involved conversations with viewers who expressed their concerns and aired their views on how the pandemic should be addressed. One of the critical interactions in the meeting was between Tony (viewer) and Mr. Yee, where Tony raised his concerns about panic buying and the possibility of food shortage to be experienced soon. Tony also raised the issue of people paying to be tested and quarantined, an approach that does not promote efforts to manage the pandemic. Mr. Yee responded by stating that the funding is still in place to ensure proper measures are put in place to maintain the required standards and protocol while dealing with the pandemic.

Outcomes of the meeting including the specific topic focus

            The meeting was successful, and the key participants effectively communicated with each other, as well as the viewers, who had adequate time to air their views. Mr. Yee adequately addressed the questions raised by concerned viewers, especially concerning the pandemic and the measures that are in place to manage the condition (C-SPAN, 2020). Mr. Yee also pointed out that steps are being put in place to cover the test for the virus so that the bills do not amount to $9,000 as it were the case. This measure can be essential in ensuring more people get tested, and the pandemic is possibly controlled.

Conclusion

All in all, the pandemic is fatal, and appropriate control measures need to be put in place to ensure the disease is contained before it kills more casualties. The funding from Congress needs to be allocated adequately to reinforce the supplies in healthcare centers and provide personal preventive equipment as well. Patient education on the appropriate precautionary measures should be considered, including the use of telemedicine (Ekeland, Bowes & Flottorp, 2010).

References

C-SPAN. (2020). Dr. Ronald Yee on Community Health Centers and Coronavirus. Retrieved from: https://www.c-span.org/video/?470128-4/washington-journal-dr-ronald-yee-discusses-community-health-centers-coronavirus&start=398

Ekeland, A. G., Bowes, A., & Flottorp, S. (2010). Effectiveness of telemedicine: a systematic review of reviews. International journal of medical informatics, 79(11), 736-771.