NR_552 Week 2 Discussion, Policies for Public Good

Policies for Public Good NAME Chamberlain College of Nursing NR 552: Economics of Healthcare Policy Poirier DATE Week 2: Policies for Public Good What local policies (city or state) have been enacted to provide for the public good in relation to lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, or vehicle safety? What are the ethical and legal implications of these policies? What health and healthcare cost outcomes are expected as a result of this policy? The local policy enacted in Ohio to provide for the public good in regard to lifestyle choices is called the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) (Ryan, 2017). The program is implemented by Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. The main objective of this policy is to encourage around 1500 participants in Youngstown, Ohio to buy fresh produce by providing incentives (Ryan, 2017). Fresh produce comprises of eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits which is widely associated with decreased risk of contracting chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). In 2017, Congressman Tim Ryan announced a $498,800 financial support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (Ryan, 2017). The ethical and legal implication of this policy revolves around the promoting the health benefit of the program while reducing threats to physical and social harm, privacy, and liberty. The exercise involves taking personal data of the participants (Kass, 2014). This brings out the issue of privacy. The use of such data for other purposes must be authorized by the owners. On liberty, everyone has the freedom of choice. People should not be coerced to participate in the program due to their health status but their participation should be voluntary (Kass, 2014). The safety of the food should be guaranteed to avoid the negative health implication that comes with poor handling and storage. Selection of participants should be free and fair to avoid discrimination that can cause social harm like stigmatization (Kass, 2014) Health and healthcare costs outcomes associated with the policy may include the cost incurred by the USDA to finance the program. This cost will increase the government’s public expenditure. For individual participants, the policy will reduce the costs associated with food consumption because the program provides an incentive for the purchase of fresh produce (Ryan, 2016). References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Strategies to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases: The CDC guide to strategies to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services. Kass, N., Hecht, K., Paul, A., & Birnbach, K. (2014). Ethics and obesity prevention: ethical considerations in 3 approaches to reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. American journal of public health, 104(5), 787-795. Ryan, T. (2017). Congressman Tim Ryan announces almost $500,000 for Youngstown to encourage SNAP participants to purchase healthy foods. Retrieved from PROFESSOR RESPONSE TO POST: Thank you, Carole. That is a great policy. I have seen an increase in purchasing of healthy produce since the farmers' markets are able to take SNAP and WIC food vouchers. Unfortunately, most of the farmers' markets are seasonal as I live in New England. RESPONSE TO PROFESSOR POST: Dr. Poirier The access to fresh local produce is becoming more desirable to many consumers because of the ability to meet the farmer who grew it, the whole Farm to Table idea. The impact of farmers markets is important to local and regional economies. Farmers markets represent anchored capital in the community because they are less likely to relocate and therefore provide stability in the economy. They have become a critical component of our nation’s economy, food systems, and communities. Connecting rural to urban, farmer to consumer, and fresh ingredients to our diets. Consumers are now looking for more ways to buy locally grown food throughout the year. Cost effective options, such as hoop houses and eco-friendly greenhouse energy use, have helped many small and mid-sized farmers expand their growing season while keeping overhead costs down during indoor winter farmers markets (Snook, 2012). Winter farmers markets offer consumers a variety of products such as fresh or preserved fruit, root vegetables, hearty greens, tree nuts, meat, poultry, eggs, honey, herbs, handmade soaps, baked goods, pumpkins, ornamental crops like Christmas trees, gourds and other holiday foods or decorative items. Here, in the State of Ohio, the Produce Perks program and other food-stamp-related programs continue during the winter months. For every dollar spent, a token for a free dollar of food is provided. That can mean an extra $5 to $20, depending on the market (Snook, 2012). Reference Snook, D. (2012, November 12). Cleveland area adds 6 new winter farmers markets. Retrieved from RESPONSE TO PEER POST: Sarah, This is a very interesting topic you chose to discuss. I discovered that in 1974, the Ohio Legislature repealed laws prohibiting the sale of liquor on Sundays and created special license categories for liquor sales. Ohio defines alcoholic beverages as beer, wine, liquor, or hard cider. As explained by Dr. Poirier these types of laws are known as "Blue Laws," have historically restricted various activities on Sundays, from selling liquor to hunting. Current Ohio statutes limit the sale of sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages, or liquor between certain hours. The sale or delivery of beer, wine, mixed beverages, or liquor between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. is prohibited from Monday to Saturday (Ohio Laws and Rules, 2016). Beer, wine, mixed beverages, or liquor cannot be sold on Sunday from 2:30 a.m. to Sunday midnight. Liquor can be served by a licensed business for consumption Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. the next day (depending on the type of permit), such as in a bar (Ohio Laws and Rules, 2016). On Sundays, beer can be purchased beginning at 5:30 a.m., however wine, low-proof alcohol, and spirits can't be bought until 10 or 11 a.m. (Ohio Laws and Rules, 2016). Sales are open until midnight. For off-premises consumption, licensed retailers may sell liquor from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday (with a Sunday permit) (Ohio Laws and Rules, 2016). Additionally, obtaining a Sunday license requires local elections to be held authorizing the issuance of such licenses. The process is outlined in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4301, Section 4301.351, and these elections are held at the municipal or township level of government. Reference Ohio Laws and Rules. (2016). 4301:1-1-49 Hours of the sale of alcoholic beverages. Retrieved from