Protecting Vulnerable Populations

Vulnerable populations can be described as subsegments of the population that require

specific attention, protections and considerations. Policies have been created to ensure

vulnerable populations are able to access care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is one such

policy that has led to improved health outcomes and increased access to care as vulnerable

underserved populations are able to get insurance (Manchikanti et al., 2017). Historically,

mental health disparity was prevalent in insurance coverage. Mental health cover had a high

cost, was restrictive on the number of hospital visits allowed and had stringent authorization

requirements (Sipe et al., 2015). This meant that mental health and substance abuse patients

were not able to access quality and affordable mental health services.

The Mental Health Parity Act of 2008 has safeguarded mental health and substance

abuse patients from increased financial burden while accessing mental health services (Sipe

et al., 2015). This has also increased the access and utilization of mental health services.

These factors have led to an increased number of mental illnesses diagnosed and treated on

time (Sipe et al., 2015). Consequently, the quality of life for people with mental health

conditions and substance abuse disorders has drastically improved (Sipe et al., 2015).

Ethical Considerations

There are various ethical challenges faced by vulnerable populations as they try to access

healthcare services (Haddad & Geiger, 2021). For example, transgender patients may face

ridicule and judgement, illegal immigrants may fear going to hospital as this may get them

reported to relevant authorities. A healthcare worker may also be faced with a moral dilemma

when a homeless patient is unable to pay for healthcare services as they are uninsured. In

such situations, healthcare workers should remember their role as protectors of human rights.

The nurse should be able to identify vulnerable patients and seek strategies to make sure they
are protected and receive the best health care. It is our duty to ensure the hospital

environment provides a conducive and safe space for vulnerable patients.

As a healthcare professional, I am called to address health disparities among

vulnerable populations by standing up for social justice, health diplomacy and human rights.

Under the ANA Code of Ethics, I must advocate and ensure that vulnerable populations are

not discriminated against based on gender identities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, mental

health status, immigration status and other factors. As nurse, I am a moral agent in the

healthcare system and in my community. My personal belief is that the right to healthcare is a

human right, and the two cannot be dissociated. My calling primarily commits me to put the

patient first, and no other entity trying to sabotage a patient’s rights should supersede this

commitment. This includes standing up against immigration officials or law enforcement

agencies while advocating for patient’s rights.

 References

Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2021). Nursing Ethical Considerations. In StatPearls. StatPearls

Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/

Manchikanti, L., Helm Ii, S., Benyamin, R. M., & Hirsch, J. A. (2017). A Critical Analysis of

Obamacare: Affordable Care or Insurance for Many and Coverage for Few? Pain Physician,

20(3), 111–138.

Sipe, T. A., Finnie, R. K. C., Knopf, J. A., Qu, S., Reynolds, J. A., Thota, A. B., Hahn, R. A.,

Goetzel, R. Z., Hennessy, K. D., McKnight-Eily, L. R., Chapman, D. P., Anderson, C. W.,

Azrin, S., Abraido-Lanza, A. F., Gelenberg, A. J., Vernon-Smiley, M. E., & Nease, D. E.

(2015). Effects of Mental Health Benefits Legislation. American Journal of Preventive

Medicine, 48(6), 755–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.01.022