1. What is the difference between universal health coverage and universal health care? How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of achieving these goals? - Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the health services they need, without financial hardship. Universal health care (UHC) means that health care is provided and financed by the government through taxes or social insurance. The U.S. does not have UHC or UHC, but has a mixed system of public and private insurance, with many gaps and disparities in coverage and quality. 2. What are some of the major challenges and opportunities for improving health equity in the U.S. and globally? - Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of their social, economic, or environmental conditions. Some of the major challenges for achieving health equity include poverty, racism, discrimination, violence, pollution, climate change, and infectious diseases. Some of the opportunities for improving health equity include social movements, human rights frameworks, community engagement, intersectoral collaboration, and innovation. 3. What are some of the key features and implications of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for nursing practice and education? - The ACA is a comprehensive health reform law that was enacted in 2010 and implemented over several years. Some of the key features of the ACA include expanding Medicaid eligibility, creating health insurance marketplaces, providing subsidies for low- and middle-income individuals and families, enforcing individual and employer mandates, regulating insurance companies, promoting prevention and wellness, and investing in workforce development and research. Some of the implications of the ACA for nursing practice and education include increasing the demand and scope of primary care and community-based services, enhancing interprofessional collaboration and leadership, fostering quality improvement and evidence-based practice, and advancing nursing education and diversity. 4. What are some of the current trends and issues in telehealth and digital health? How can nurses leverage these technologies to improve access, quality, and outcomes of care? - Telehealth and digital health are terms that refer to the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver or support health care services remotely or virtually. Some of the current trends and issues in telehealth and digital health include increasing adoption and utilization, expanding applications and modalities, addressing regulatory and ethical challenges, ensuring privacy and security, evaluating effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and integrating with existing systems and workflows. Nurses can leverage these technologies to improve access, quality, and outcomes of care by providing timely and convenient care to underserved populations, enhancing patient engagement and self-management, facilitating care coordination and transitions, supporting clinical decision making and education, and generating data for research and improvement.