Outline a current or emerging health care law or federal regulation introduced to reform or restructure some aspect of the health care delivery system. Describe the effect of this on nursing practice and the nurse’s role and responsibility.

Affordable Care (ACA) Act, a law in the United States that reforms and restructures aspects of healthcare delivery. This law has had a major impact on the practice of nursing as it’s increased accessibility to health care by providing insurance to more people.

In addition, the ACA also focuses on improving quality of care through initiatives such as the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Quality Payment Program which rewards healthcare providers based on their performance; this encourages nurses to be actively involved when it comes to developing evidence-based protocols and procedures that are aimed at achieving better outcomes. The ACA promotes collaboration among nurses, other healthcare professionals and government officials to reach common goals.

The ACA not only improved the access and quality care, but also gave nurses a wider variety of responsibilities. This included taking an active part to develop processes/policies in addition to providing input as an interdisciplinary group perspective.