Conducting a Policy Analysis, Implications for Nurse Practitioners: An Exemplar on Medicaid Policy and Consent for Postpartum Sterilization

Policy analysis offers an opportunity for nurse practitioners to become more visible in health policy by acting as policy influencers rather than implementers. The following article will guide readers through the steps of conducting a policy analysis on the Medicaid Requirements and Limits for Sterilization in response to unfulfilled postpartum sterilization requests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's policy analysis framework was used. The policy's benefits and shortcomings, public health impact, ethical implications, and economic impact were explored. Ultimately, nurse practitioners across disciplines should harness their unique clinical expertise in the evaluation of policies from local to federal levels.

Duke Scholars

Author Kathryn Jane Trotter School of Nursing