Nurses in Politics - Essay Example

Having technocrats as leaders is the best thing that can happen to a nation. The citizens need to elect professionals that will implement good policies. In the healthcare sector, electing leaders that are nurses or doctors will result in policies that will improve the sector. In the federal government, several nurses have been elected to the government and have made great contributions to their states. Lois Capps is one of the congresswomen who is also a nurse. The congresswoman has served California, and her main aim is to ensure that her constituents access quality health care (Nickitas, Middaugh, & Aries, 2011).

Public healthcare institutions are funded by the government which also formulates policies to govern them. Lois Capps plays a crucial role in policy setting and determination of budget in the health care sector. She understands the sector and can convince her colleagues on issues pertaining health to and care. Having adequate knowledge in the health sector allows her to give a strong opinion in communities that require a professional in the field. Her experience in the field also allows her to give specific encounters that will help the other legislators understand the challenges patients and healthcare providers face in the facilities (Feldman, & Lewenson, 2000).

Her contribution to successful Acts can be summed up into two major bills. The Nurse-managed Health Clinic Investment Act of 2009 and The School-Based Health Clinic Establishment Act of 2009. The two bills were cosponsored by Lois Capps and are meant to ensure that clinics run by advanced practice nurses and school-based clinics get funding from the government. Lois Capps was also a vocal supporter of the health care reform bill, which ensured Americans get access yet affordable health care (Mason, Leavitt, & Chaffee, 2014).