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October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025

Disaster Collaboration Networks

INSTRUCTIONS • Provide a Biblically based support for your analysis • Sources must be derived from Read items assigned for the Module: Week in which the Case Study is assigned, peer-reviewed journal articles, and your independent research. • All citations and format must be in current APA format • Include 8 – 10 sources, not including your Biblical analysis • Double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, written in 12-point Times New Roman font. • (Note: Case Study: Federal/State/Local Collaboration Networks in Disasters Assignment must be 10-12 pages).

Address each of the following questions related to federal-state-local collaboration during disasters. 1. Should there be national goals and strong federal direction, as during the period of “creative federalism,” or greater flexibility for state and local officials to target funds and efforts where they feel there is the greatest need? 2. What would happen if the federal role in emergency management was simply reduced to providing financial support? 3. How likely is it that state representatives will address the state’s major hazards without federal encouragement? 4. What are the advantages of developing local capabilities to reduce hazards? How likely is it that local officials will address risks to life and property without outside funding and support?

Disaster Collaboration Networks

Disaster Collaboration Networks

  • Should there be national goals and strong federal direction as during the period of “creative federalism” or greater flexibility for state and local officials to target funds and efforts where they feel there is the greatest need?,

  • What would happen if the federal role in emergency management was simply reduced to providing financial support?,

  • How likely is it that state representatives will address the state’s major hazards without federal encouragement?,

  • What are the advantages of developing local capabilities to reduce hazards?,

  • How likely is it that local officials will address risks to life and property without outside funding and support?


Comprehensive General Analysis

Introduction

Disaster management in the United States has evolved over time as federal, state, and local governments seek to balance roles and responsibilities in protecting life and property. Events such as Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and more recent disasters demonstrate the importance of coordinated collaboration. Questions of federal leadership versus local flexibility remain central to the debate on how to structure emergency management. From a Biblical perspective, the call for stewardship (1 Peter 4:10), mutual aid (Galatians 6:2), and wise leadership (Proverbs 11:14) aligns with the need for strong, cooperative networks across all levels of government.


1. National Goals and Federal Direction vs. Local Flexibility

Argument for strong federal direction:

  • A unified set of national goals ensures consistency, equity, and the ability to mobilize resources across state lines.

  • Historical examples, such as the era of “creative federalism” in the 1960s, show how strong federal leadership can direct funds efficiently to nationwide priorities.

Argument for flexibility:

  • State and local governments have first-hand knowledge of their communities and are better positioned to prioritize resources based on specific regional risks.

  • Overly centralized control may ignore unique local vulnerabilities.

Balanced approach:

  • The most effective model blends national priorities with local adaptability. The federal government should establish broad frameworks and funding guidelines, while states and localities tailor implementation.

  • Biblically, this reflects the principle of shared responsibility: “Two are better than one… if either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10).


2. If Federal Role Were Reduced to Financial Support

  • A purely financial federal role would weaken national capacity for coordination, technical expertise, and standardization of disaster responses.

  • The absence of leadership could lead to duplication of efforts, slower response times, and disparities in preparedness among states.

  • National security threats (e.g., terrorism, pandemics, cyberattacks) require more than funding—they demand unified strategy and intelligence-sharing, which only federal agencies can provide.

  • From a Biblical standpoint, Proverbs 29:18 notes, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Financial support without leadership vision could compromise long-term safety and resilience.

October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025

Ideals of American Democracy

The fundamental values that inform how are democratic government is legitimated and organized are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution of the United States. These principles and founding documents, along with a discussion of other founding documents like the Articles of Confederation, Federalist papers, Bill of Rights, are discussed in the first and second chapters of MindTap.

Studying these democratic principles and ideals, as well as our founding documents, can help position you for success not only in this course, but also as you prepare to take the FCLE (Florida Civic Literacy Exam) in the future!

In this 1,000-word minimum essay, your goal will be the following:

“To identify and discuss the basic ideals and principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.”

Ideals of American Democracy

Please complete BOTH parts of this essay:

1st part of essay

· Briefly describe the democratic ideals and principles expressed in our nation’s founding documents.

· Analyze how these principles and ideals have shaped America as a constitutional republic.

2nd part of essay

· Briefly differentiate among our nation’s founding documents – including the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Federalist Papers.

· Explain the role of each of these documents in the founding of the United States. Ideals of American Democracy

  • Briefly describe the democratic ideals and principles expressed in our nation’s founding documents.,

  • Analyze how these principles and ideals have shaped America as a constitutional republic.,

  • Briefly differentiate among our nation’s founding documents – including the Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederatio Constitution Bill of Rights and Federalist Papers.,

  • Explain the role of each of these documents in the founding of the United States.,

  • Identify and discuss the basic ideals and principles of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.


Comprehensive General Essay (minimum 1,000 words)

Introduction

The United States was founded on a set of democratic ideals and principles that continue to serve as the foundation of its political system. These ideals, captured in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and other founding documents, define not only how the government operates but also how it is legitimized by the consent of the governed. To understand American democracy, one must examine these guiding principles, the influence they had in shaping the United States as a constitutional republic, and the role each founding document played in creating the framework of government.

October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025

Data Governance & Database Design

. As HIM director of a healthcare system, you have been appointed to a team of individuals to develop a rationale for a Data Governance (DG) program. In one of the first team meetings the agenda is to discuss and develop a list of key factors for DG program success and explain why each is critical for achieving a viable DG program.

Data Governance & Database Design

a. Create the supporting document that will be presented at an Executive meeting to help the CEO and other executives decide about how to structure the DG program. (25 points)

2.  Many hospitals need to track trends about patient outcomes to improve healthcare delivery. However, they often lack the tools necessary to achieve that goal. At University Hospital, the database management systems (DBMS) administrator is responsible for creating and maintaining databases. Several departments have asked him to develop real-time analytics and visualizations to track patient trends. These real-time analytics and visualizations would be based on standard simple queries. They also want to keep track of all the data they document and have had trouble creating a system that is modeled well for easy access.

a.  Evaluate if the DBMS administrator should choose a NoSQL database or a relational database for real-time analytics and visualization?

b. For the system the database administrator must build to track all the data University Hospital documents, what are the database design steps the database administrator should follow to ensure the information is organized and stored for easy access? Please describe each step. Data Governance & Database Design

  • As HIM director of a healthcare system  you have been appointed to a team of individuals to develop a rationale for a Data Governance (DG) program. In one of the first team meetings the agenda is to discuss and develop a list of key factors for DG program success and explain why each is critical for achieving a viable DG program.,

  • Create the supporting document that will be presented at an Executive meeting to help the CEO and other executives decide about how to structure the DG program. (25 points),

  • Many hospitals need to track trends about patient outcomes to improve healthcare delivery. However they often lack the tools necessary to achieve that goal. At University Hospital, the database management systems (DBMS) administrator is responsible for creating and maintaining databases. Several departments have asked him to develop real-time analytics and visualizations to track patient trends. These real-time analytics and visualizations would be based on standard simple queries. They also want to keep track of all the data they document and have had trouble creating a system that is modeled well for easy access.,

  • Evaluate if the DBMS administrator should choose a NoSQL database or a relational database for real-time analytics and visualization?,

  • For the system the database administrator must build to track all the data University Hospital documents, what are the database design steps the database administrator should follow to ensure the information is organized and stored for easy access? Please describe each step.

October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025

Nuremberg & Lubanga

  • Review the Due Process in Proceedings Before International Criminal Tribunals in Section C on page 124 of your text.
    • Select either the International Military Tribunals in Nuremberg or the International Military Tribunals in Tokyo and conduct research involving either one of these Tribunals.
    • Provide a background of the purpose of these Tribunals and what each was intended to provide to criminal defendants.
    • Offer your assessment of the success of the Tribunal in accordance with the commitment to protection of Due Process Rights of Human Criminal Defendants.

I also need help in the following

  • Conduct research and locate a case that involves either pretrial rights or trial rights that was heard in the international arena before the International Criminal Court.
    • Provide a brief summary of the main issues, the pretrial and trial process, and the outcome of the case.
    • Discuss how the case reflects the defendant being provided with five pretrial rights or trial rights.
    • Provide specific examples of these rights in action during the specific case you researched and selected. Nuremberg & Lubanga

Nuremberg & Lubanga

  • Review the Due Process in Proceedings Before International Criminal Tribunals in Section C on page 124 of your text.,

  • Select either the International Military Tribunals in Nuremberg or the International Military Tribunals in Tokyo and conduct research involving either one of these Tribunals.,

  • Provide a background of the purpose of these Tribunals and what each was intended to provide to criminal defendants.,

  • Offer your assessment of the success of the Tribunal in accordance with the commitment to protection of Due Process Rights of Human Criminal Defendants.,

  • Conduct research and locate a case that involves either pretrial rights or trial rights that was heard in the international arena before the International Criminal Court; provide a brief summary of the main issues, the pretrial and trial process, and the outcome of the case; discuss how the case reflects the defendant being provided with five pretrial rights or trial rights; provide specific examples of these rights in action during the specific case you researched and selected.


Answers — comprehensive (general)

1) Quick note about the textbook instruction

I don’t have your specific textbook or the exact page 124 Section C available here, so below I summarize the standard due-process protections as applied in international criminal tribunals and then apply them to the two researched items you asked for (the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and an ICC case). If you want me to match wording from your Section C exactly, paste that section and I’ll integrate it verbatim.


2) Background & purpose — International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg)

Purpose: The Nuremberg International Military Tribunal (IMT), created by the London Agreement of August 1945, was established to try major leaders of Nazi Germany for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity after World War II. Its goal was both accountability for mass atrocity and to produce authoritative legal findings about the nature of those crimes so they could not be denied or repeated. Holocaust Encyclopedia+1

What it was intended to provide to criminal defendants (due-process elements):

  • A formal, public trial before an independent international tribunal (rather than summary execution or purely domestic proceedings). Holocaust Encyclopedia

  • Rights broadly recognizable as due process for the time: notice of charges, legal counsel, ability to present evidence and call witnesses, and public record of proceedings. Contemporary observers noted the IMT expressly charged itself with conducting fair trials even while trying unprecedented charges. Holocaust Encyclopedia+1

Assessment (general):

  • Strengths: The IMT established a written charter, public hearings, representation for defendants, and a record of evidence and reasoning — foundations for modern international criminal procedure. It articulated and operationalized prosecutions for crimes against humanity and set precedent that individuals (not only states) can be held criminally accountable. Encyclopedia Britannica+1

  • Criticisms/limits: Historians and scholars note issues that would be problematic by today’s standards: allegations of “victor’s justice,” questions about ex post facto character of certain counts (e.g., “crimes against peace”), and the fact that the tribunal was created and staffed by the victorious powers (raising concerns about impartiality). Compared to later courts, some procedural protections were less developed (for example, modern detailed disclosure regimes and clearer, stronger independent appellate protections). WUSTL Open Scholarship Journals+1

Overall: Nuremberg was a major step forward — it provided important due-process elements relative to the alternatives available in the immediate post-war setting — but it had limits when measured against contemporary standards of international criminal procedure.

October 2, 2025

Sustainability and Social Responsibility Analysis

  1. Describe the sustainability practices of a business or organization that you frequently engage with.
    (You can usually find this information online by searching for the name of the business or organization, along with “sustainability strategy” or “environmental goals.”)
  2. How do you think the business or organization is greenwashing? Explain.
  3. How is the business or organization being socially responsible? Explain.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility Analysis

Sustainability and Social Responsibility Analysis

Questions:

  • What sustainability practices does the business or organization implement?,

  • How do these practices impact the environment or community?,

  • In what ways might the business or organization be engaging in greenwashing?,

  • What evidence suggests that some sustainability claims are exaggerated or misleading?,

  • How is the business or organization demonstrating social responsibility?,

  • What initiatives show commitment to employees, community, or ethical practices?,

  • How do sustainability and social responsibility efforts align with the organization’s core mission?,

  • How effective are these efforts in creating tangible environmental or social benefits?,

  • How could the organization improve transparency and accountability in its sustainability efforts?,

  • What lessons can consumers or other businesses learn from this organization’s approach?


Comprehensive General Answer

Sustainability Practices
The business I frequently engage with is Starbucks, a global coffee retailer. Starbucks has implemented several sustainability practices to reduce environmental impact and promote responsible sourcing. These include:

  • Ethical Sourcing: Starbucks sources coffee through its Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices program, which promotes environmentally friendly farming, fair labor practices, and quality standards.

  • Waste Reduction: Initiatives include offering reusable cups, encouraging recycling, and reducing single-use plastics.

  • Energy Efficiency: Starbucks invests in energy-efficient store designs, LED lighting, and water-saving equipment.

  • Climate Goals: The company has pledged to become resource-positive, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and waste by 2030.

Greenwashing Concerns
While Starbucks markets itself as environmentally conscious, some critics argue that the company engages in greenwashing:

  • Plastic Use: Despite promoting reusable cups, most customers still use single-use cups, and Starbucks continues to produce large amounts of disposable packaging.

  • Carbon Claims: Sustainability claims about carbon neutrality are often tied to offset programs, which may not directly reduce emissions at the source.

  • Marketing vs. Reality: Sustainability messaging can sometimes overemphasize small improvements while broader environmental impacts, like global supply chain emissions, remain substantial.

Social Responsibility
Starbucks demonstrates social responsibility in multiple ways:

  • Employee Benefits: The company provides healthcare, stock options, and tuition assistance to employees, promoting well-being and professional development.

  • Community Engagement: Starbucks supports local communities through grants, volunteer programs, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations.

  • Diversity and Inclusion: Initiatives include equity programs, inclusive hiring practices, and anti-discrimination policies.

  • Ethical Sourcing: Beyond environmental benefits, C.A.F.E. Practices ensure fair wages and working conditions for coffee farmers, supporting economic sustainability in sourcing regions.

Conclusion
Starbucks shows a commitment to both sustainability and social responsibility through environmental initiatives, ethical sourcing, and employee/community support. However, greenwashing concerns highlight the importance of transparency and measurable impact. To improve credibility, the company could provide more detailed reporting on the effectiveness of its sustainability programs and work toward tangible reductions in environmental footprint. Sustainability and Social Responsibility Analysis

October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025

Medicare NP Payment Calculations

Health Insurance Calculations – Medicare Non-Physician Provider

Please review the lecture information prior to completing this task. This scenario is for a non-physician provider, such as an N.P. or P.A., who contracts with Medicare.

Use the attached document to complete

WK8 INFO HP-214

Medicare NP Payment Calculations

 

Health Insurance Calculations – Medicare Non-Physician Provider

Please review the lecture information prior to completing this task. This scenario is for a non-physician provider, such as an N.P. or P.A., who contracts with Medicare. More information is available to you in Chapter 9 of your text.

Analyze a scenario to determine monetary responsibility for a visit.

Fill in the blanks in the following payment situations:

Scenario 1

Calculate the following amounts for an NP who bills Medicare as an incident to a supervising physician (billed under the physician’s NPI).

Submitted charge $75

Medicare allowed amount (MPFS) $60

Nurse practitioner allowed amount (100% of MPFS) $

Medicare payment (80 percent of the allowed amount) $

Coinsurance amount (20% allowed amount) $

Provider write-off $

Scenario 2

Calculate the following amounts for an NP who bills Medicare under their own NPI.

Submitted charge $75

Medicare allowed amount (MPFS) $60

Nurse practitioner allowed amount $

(80% of office charge or 85% of MPFS whichever is lower)

Medicare payment (80% of the allowed amount) $

Coinsurance amount $

Provider write-off $ Medicare NP Payment Calculations

  • For Scenario 1, what is the nurse practitioner allowed amount (100% of MPFS)?,

  • What is the Medicare payment (80% of the allowed amount) for Scenario 1?,

  • What is the coinsurance amount (20% of allowed amount) for Scenario 1?,

  • What is the provider write-off for Scenario 1?,

  • For Scenario 2, what is the nurse practitioner allowed amount (80% of office charge or 85% of MPFS, whichever is lower)?,

  • What is the Medicare payment (80% of the allowed amount) for Scenario 2?,

  • What is the coinsurance amount for Scenario 2?,

  • What is the provider write-off for Scenario 2?,

  • How do the calculations differ when billing “incident to” versus under the NP’s own NPI?,

  • How do these calculations affect patient responsibility and provider reimbursement?


Comprehensive General Answer

Scenario 1 – NP Billed “Incident to” Physician

  • Submitted charge: $75

  • Medicare allowed amount (MPFS): $60

  • Nurse practitioner allowed amount (100% of MPFS): $60

  • Medicare payment (80% of allowed amount): 0.8 × $60 = $48

  • Coinsurance amount (20% of allowed amount): 0.2 × $60 = $12

  • Provider write-off: Submitted charge − allowed amount = $75 − $60 = $15

Explanation: When billing “incident to,” the NP is reimbursed at 100% of the MPFS. Medicare pays 80% of the allowed amount, the patient is responsible for the remaining 20%, and the provider cannot collect the difference between the submitted charge and the allowed amount (write-off).


Scenario 2 – NP Billed Under Own NPI

  • Submitted charge: $75

  • Medicare allowed amount (MPFS): $60

  • Nurse practitioner allowed amount (80% of office charge or 85% of

October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025

Course Feedback Reflection

All students are requested to complete this survey. It provides valuable information to meet your needs better, improve our courses, and provide a better overall student experience – one of the Three Pillars of Excellence upon which the University of Arkansas Grantham is built. If you have not yet completed your survey (these are needed for every course), please do so now. It is needed for the Discussion prompt.;

Course Feedback Reflection

Share what you feel is the most valuable suggestion for improvement. Share what you are comfortable sharing about your course learning experience. Ensure you place this suggestion in the survey comment section.Course Feedback Reflection

  • Have you completed the end-of-course survey?,

  • What do you feel is the most valuable suggestion for improving this course?,

  • What aspects of your course learning experience would you like to share?,

  • Where should you place your suggestion within the survey?,

  • How has this course contributed to your learning and professional development?,

  • What specific changes or improvements would enhance the student experience in this course?,

  • How do you feel the course met your expectations and learning objectives?,

  • How can the feedback you provide help improve future course offerings?,

  • Are there resources or support that you found particularly helpful during the course?,

  • How can the course structure, assignments, or instruction be improved for clarity or engagement?


Comprehensive General Answer

Reflection on Course Experience and Survey Feedback

Completing the end-of-course survey is an important opportunity to provide feedback that can improve both the course and the overall student experience at the University of Arkansas Grantham. The survey allows students to voice their perspectives and contribute to the university’s goal of delivering high-quality, effective learning experiences.

Most Valuable Suggestion for Improvement
One of the most valuable suggestions for improvement is to increase interactive opportunities during the course, such as more real-time discussions, case studies, or practical exercises. These activities help students apply theoretical knowledge in a simulated environment and enhance understanding of complex topics. Including additional examples or scenario-based assignments could also support diverse learning styles and deepen comprehension.

Course Learning Experience
Throughout this course, I appreciated the balance between technical instruction and professional skill development. Assignments, discussions, and resources provided a clear pathway for building both subject matter expertise and soft skills, which are essential for employment success. I found that structured feedback from instructors and the availability of tutoring services were particularly helpful in reinforcing my understanding of key concepts.

Placement of Suggestion
My suggestion for improvement has been entered in the comment section of the survey, as requested. This ensures that my feedback is recorded formally and considered during course evaluations and future revisions.

Contribution to Professional Development
The course has contributed to my professional development by enhancing both my technical competencies and employability skills. Assignments such as mock interviews and discussion responses helped build confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking. Overall, the course structure and content effectively supported my growth as a student and as a future professional.

October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025

Mock Interview Reflection

During this certificate program, you have spent a considerable amount of time working on employment strategies. You likely decided to return to school because you know education is the best path to employment. Employers are looking for employees with solid skill sets, the ability to learn, and the soft skills to be good employees.

The skillset comes with the courses, the ability to learn is shown by passing the courses and mastering the soft skills we have both included in coursework and exemplified by our actions. Soft skills are those things that make good employees. Soft skills in medical coding are personal and interpersonal skills that help medical coders perform effectively in their roles beyond technical coding knowledge. Reflect on some of these soft skills that speak to you:

Mock Interview Reflection

· Attention to detail

· Communication skills

· Time management

· Patience and Persistence

· Adaptability

· Confidentiality and Ethics

· Teamwork and Collaboration

Good employees arrive to work on time, work hard during paid hours, treat everyone with dignity and respect, and are honest and trustworthy.

Assignment Instructions

Mock Interview: When you’re ready to do your mock interview, select the Live Tutoring link on the course menu and follow this video tutorial,  Interview Practice – Career Services (01:44).

· Be sure to use the voice chat Mock Interview Reflection

· Ask to do a practice interview for a medical billing and coding position

· There is no need to schedule this, just log in to Tutor.com whenever you’re ready to complete the practice interview

Write a reflection on this entire process and submit it to the assignment drop box. This reflection should be one to two pages long and address points that were listed above as the soft skillset. College writing should always have a proper sentence structure, grammar, and spelling.

  • What was your overall experience completing the mock interview?,

  • How did you demonstrate attention to detail during the interview?,

  • How did your communication skills impact your performance?,

  • How did time management patience and persistence play a role in your interview?,

  • How did adaptability confidentiality and ethics come into play during the interview?,

  • How did teamwork and collaboration skills influence your responses or engagement?,

  • What did you learn about your strengths and areas for improvement through the mock interview process?,

  • How will this experience prepare you for a real medical billing and coding interview?,

  • How did the mock interview reinforce the importance of soft skills in employment?,

  • How will you apply these insights to future job-seeking or professional development efforts?

October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025

Maryland’s Hospital Rate Setting Policy

  1. Select a state health policy reform innovation
  2. Discuss the rationale for the policy, how it was adopted (e.g., federal waivers, passage by state legislature), the funding structure, and (to the extent statistical data are available) its impact. ethical outcome based on evidence.
  3. Examples of state innovations include Maryland’s hospital rate setting, Vermont’s single payer system, and Massachusetts’ health reform
  • What is the rationale behind Maryland’s hospital rate setting policy?,

  • How was this policy adopted in Maryland?,

  • What is the funding structure of Maryland’s hospital rate setting system?,

  • What impact has this policy had on healthcare outcomes in Maryland?,

  • What ethical considerations are associated with Maryland’s hospital rate setting policy?,

  • How does Maryland’s hospital rate setting policy compare to other states’ approaches?

Maryland's Hospital Rate Setting PolicyComprehensive General Answer

Rationale for the Policy

Maryland’s hospital rate setting policy was established to control escalating healthcare costs, ensure equitable access to care, and maintain hospital financial stability. The policy aimed to eliminate cost-shifting between payers and promote efficiency within the healthcare system. By setting uniform rates for all payers, Maryland sought to create a more predictable and transparent healthcare pricing structure.

Adoption of the Policy

The policy was adopted through state legislation and was initially implemented in the 1970s. A significant milestone was the 1977 Medicare waiver, which granted Maryland the authority to set rates for Medicare and Medicaid, establishing an “all-payer” system. This approach allowed Maryland to negotiate rates with hospitals and insurers collectively, rather than individually. In 2010, Maryland became the first state to implement a hospital global budgeting program, which expanded to all 46 of the state’s acute care hospitals in 2014. Mathematica

Funding Structure

The funding structure of Maryland’s hospital rate setting system is based on a global budget for each hospital. Hospitals receive fixed annual budgets that cover all operating expenses, including salaries, equipment, and supplies. These budgets are negotiated with the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) and are adjusted for inflation and other factors. The primary sources of funding are Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers, all of which reimburse hospitals at the same rate for services rendered. CliffsNotes 

Impact on Healthcare Outcomes

The implementation of the hospital rate setting policy in Maryland has led to several positive outcomes: Maryland’s Hospital Rate Setting Policy

  • Cost Control: Maryland has experienced slower growth in hospital expenditures compared to the national average.

  • Access to Care: The policy has contributed to broader access to healthcare services across the state.

  • Quality Improvement: Hospitals have been incentivized to improve care quality to meet budgetary constraints.

However, challenges remain, including ensuring that hospitals maintain financial viability under fixed budgets and addressing disparities in care quality. PMC

Ethical Considerations

Ethical considerations associated with Maryland’s hospital rate setting policy include:

  • Equity: Ensuring that all populations, regardless of insurance status, have access to quality care.

  • Transparency: Maintaining clear communication about how rates are set and how funds are allocated.

  • Accountability: Holding hospitals accountable for both financial performance and patient outcomes.

These considerations are crucial to maintaining public trust and the effectiveness of the policy.

Comparison to Other States

Maryland’s approach to hospital rate setting is unique in the United States. While other states have explored similar models, Maryland’s long-standing system provides a comprehensive framework for cost control and quality improvement. Other states have faced challenges in implementing such systems due to political, financial, and administrative barriers. HealthCare Price Source

October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025

Colleague Response Guidelines

1) Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by answering your colleague’s questions about the Personal Legislative Agenda. Your responses should provide clarification, guidance, and/or support on the question described by your colleague.

Colleague Response Guidelines

2) Respond to at least two colleagues on two different days in one or more of the following ways:

  • Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
  • Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
  • Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
  • Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
  • Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
  • Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.Colleague Response Guidelines
  • How should you respond to at least two colleagues on two different days regarding their Personal Legislative Agenda questions?,

  • In what ways can you respond to colleagues’ posts (probing question, insight alternative perspective validation suggestion or expansion)?,

  • How should responses provide clarification guidance or support to your colleague’s questions?,

  • How can you substantiate your responses with additional background, evidence or research?,

  • How can you expand or contrast your colleagues’ postings using classroom readings or external research?,

  • What strategies can ensure your responses contribute meaningfully to discussion and learning?


Comprehensive General Answer

Responding to Colleagues
When engaging with colleagues on discussion posts regarding the Personal Legislative Agenda, it is important to respond to at least two colleagues on two different days. Responses should focus on addressing questions posed by the colleague and providing clarification, guidance, or support. This ensures an interactive discussion rather than a single, static reply.

Effective Response Methods
Responses can take multiple forms to enrich the discussion and promote critical thinking:

  1. Ask a Probing Question: Encourage deeper reflection by asking thoughtful questions that push your colleague to expand their ideas. For example, inquire about potential challenges in implementing their legislative priorities or how specific policies align with broader healthcare trends.

  2. Share an Insight: Reflect on the colleague’s post and synthesize the information with your own understanding or experience, offering new perspectives. This demonstrates active engagement and critical thinking.

  3. Offer an Alternative Perspective: Use classroom readings, scholarly articles, or Walden Library resources to provide evidence-based alternative viewpoints. Presenting contrasting perspectives respectfully promotes robust dialogue.

  4. Validate an Idea: Affirm ideas or positions shared by colleagues, providing support through your experience or additional research. Validation reinforces constructive dialogue and builds confidence.

  5. Make a Suggestion: Offer practical recommendations or strategies informed by evidence to enhance your colleague’s ideas or legislative agenda approach.

  6. Expand the Discussion: Build on colleagues’ postings by integrating related concepts, evidence, or contrasting perspectives. Expanding the conversation encourages deeper learning and the application of research to practice.

Substantiating Responses
Always support your responses with evidence from course readings, peer-reviewed literature, or reputable external sources. This strengthens credibility and models the use of evidence-based reasoning. Include citations where appropriate to maintain academic rigor.

Contribution to Learning
Effective responses contribute meaningfully by promoting dialogue, encouraging reflection, and supporting knowledge synthesis. By engaging thoughtfully and substantively, responses help colleagues refine their legislative agendas, consider new perspectives, and strengthen critical thinking skills.