Using ethical frameworks in times of transition and uncertainty

Health care policy is never easy and always fraught with concerns about quality, access, and cost. Currently, uncertainty abounds regarding new federal and state policies on the horizon for older adult care and quality. Empirics undergird most policy-making decisions regarding risk/benefit, cost, and knowing the best action to put in place for the best results. However, in times of great change in policy direction and political viewpoints, empirical knowledge must be combined with ethical knowledge for planning and implementation. Ethical and moral judgment has long been a mainstay of nursing practice and organizational leadership. Using ethical knowledge as a framework will be a crucial guide for nurses and health professionals and society to prioritize action and decisions in policy.