1. Explain how health care policy affects health care organizations, patient care, and costeffective quality care. What measures can the nurse leader take as an advocate for patient care and addressing health care cost? Health care policy is the set of rules and regulations that govern the delivery, quality, and cost of health care services. Health care policy affects health care organizations, patient care, and cost-effective quality care in various ways. For example, health care policy can determine the eligibility, access, and affordability of health care for different populations, such as the uninsured, the elderly, or the lowincome. Health care policy can also influence the standards, guidelines, and incentives for health care providers, such as physicians, nurses, or hospitals, to ensure quality and safety of care. Health care policy can also impact the innovation, research, and development of new technologies, treatments, and drugs that can improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs. The nurse leader plays a vital role as an advocate for patient care and addressing health care cost. The nurse leader can use their knowledge, skills, and influence to shape health care policy at various levels, such as local, state, or national. The nurse leader can also collaborate with other stakeholders, such as patients, families, communities, or policymakers, to identify the needs, challenges, and opportunities for improving health care. The nurse leader can also implement and evaluate evidence-based practices, programs, and policies that can enhance patient care and reduce health care cost. The nurse leader can also educate and empower other nurses and health care professionals to be advocates for patient care and health care cost. 2. Define health policy Current and proposed legislation that governs the actions, decisions, and behaviors that affect the health of a society 3. Which of the following would be considered a painless cost control? Encouraging the use of new technology 4. How is health policy formed? Through the legislative process