Operationalizing and the Older Americans Act

Being aware of how a policy is administered (operationalized) by the various government agencies is important to a health administrator. The CMS is responsible for the implementation of the 2010 ACA. The ACA contains many provisions affecting CMS’s traditional role in Medicare Medicaid and CHIP. There are several other provisions of the ACA that CMS is responsible for implementing. For example the CMS is responsible for implementation of ACA’s consumer protections and private health insurance provisions among others. Although the CMS has worked with states to create new health insurance marketplaces the Administration on Aging (AOA) example gives us a chance to explore both a federal level agency charged with implementing a piece of legislation but also requires us to look at state regional and local agencies that are also involved in implementing the Older American Act (OAA of 1965). Many policies have tentacles into state and local government so this latter focus is useful to explore. We focus on just one of the provisions of the OAA for our discussion. In this case you should assume you are an administrator in a health system that includes several acute care hospitals. Word Count: 500 words Before participating in this assignment you will need to consult various federal agency and other websites and publications to find the history of the OAA of 1965. You will also need to visit the AOA website and get information on its mission organizational structure services and programs strategic plan etc. The Administration on Aging website will get you started. Assume you are an administrator in a health system that includes acute care hospitals and is considering getting into the skilled nursing facility and home health business. Your system is in Norfolk Virginia. Your superior is wondering what kinds of policy implications such a move might have. Specifically he is a little worried about the elder rights protection programs that are part of the OAA and about which he has heard here and there. He has asked you to research for him the agencies (federal state and other) that administer in your area the OAA objective to “Ensure the rights of older people and prevent their abuse neglect and exploitation.” He has heard there are many agencies and that it is a spider web of conflict He has asked you for two things. Part 1: Agencies Involved Prepare a list of at least four agencies that might have something to do with this elder rights issue. These agencies should include one federal one state one county/city and one non-profit agency. Clearly identify the agency and its products and/or services for elders (what do they do to promote elder health?) and include the organization’s mission (can be quoted exactly) and the organization website URL that refers to their elder services and their mission. Finally your CEO wants to know if you think this elder rights thing really is something to worry about and why. Part 2: Feasibility Based on what you have seen of the OAA what the website presents about the Administration on Aging and what you’ve discovered researching the Norfolk Virginia area prepare a short memo for your CEO. Discuss your thoughts on any areas for concern exclusively with the issue of elder rights. Of course your health system will later run the numbers to determine financial feasibility. Assuming the numbers work out well should the organization fear the elder rights protections and organizations that are involved as your CEO seems to worry about? This section should be in no more than 300 words. Requirements: 500 | .doc file Part 1: 50 words for each agency 200 words total Part 2: 300 words