Transcript Facilitating Change in Health Policy

Facilitating Change in Health
Policy
By Mary Knutson, RN, MSN
Health Vista, Inc.
June 26, 2005
Introduction
Legislative change is generally slow and
frustrating
 Health professionals and the public have
more power to affect change than they
realize
 Take initiative to communicate with your
legislators
 Try quick e-mail, phone calls, or letters

Writing Letters to the Editor
Correct, inform, or enlighten readers
 Make letters short and to the point
 Make only one point per letter
 Include name, address and phone number
 Include your credentials
 Use direct but respectful tone, not personal
attacks

Effective Personal Efforts
Use your unique experiences
to illustrate your point
 Be up-to-date on current
events and legislative
progress
 Learn more about
government systems and how
health care is affected

Quick Review:
Who Matters in Government?
Executive Branch
President and Agencies
Proposes and
executes government
Judicial Branch
Courts, Police
Enforces Laws
and adjudicates
Legislative Branch
House of Representative
and Senate
Enacts and oversees government
Stage 1: Policy Agenda
How do you get the government to
consider action on a problem?
 Define the problems that need or receive
serious attention of public officials
 Find out which groups and communities are
concerned about that issue
 Build coalitions
 Use media to illuminate the problem
Stage 2: Policy Formation
What do you think should be done
about the problem?
Develop some acceptable courses of action
 Utilize knowledge from others in the
coalition
 Communicate with a legislator for input
 Ask about the expected barriers
 Revise the proposed action if needed

Stage 3: Policy Adoption
How do you get the government to
accept a particular solution?
Develop support for a specific proposal
among coalition and public
 Communicate problem and proposed
solution to legislators
 Put a “human face” on the issue
 Find legislative sponsors and co-sponsors
Involve lobbyists, if available

Stage 4: Policy Implementation
Understanding the legislative process
Government’s
administrative
“machinery” is
applied to problem
 Some ideas result
in drafting of bill

Hearings
 Committee
Mark-up
 Floor Action
 Conference
 Implementation

Stage 5: Policy Evaluation
Did the policy work?
Efforts are made by the government to
determine if the policy was effective or not
 Policy research is focused on analysis of
problem addressed
 Cost-benefit analysis of impact of policy
 Policy design may be studied

What Matters to Lawmakers?
 Votes
 Politics
 Public
Opinion
Legislators Have:
More issues than time
 Thousands to millions of constituents
 Their own interests, history, priorities

Be persuasive
Be persistant
Be clear and concise
How to Develop Relationships
Communicate with legislators and staff
 Find common ground
 Always be honest and courteous
 Know the facts and be a resource
 Make it easy- Explain pros and cons
 Know the “enemy” so you can prepare the
legislator for the “attack”

Finding Legislative Information
Bills in U.S. Congress: thomas.loc.gov
Congressional Record, past and present
 Regulations: nara.gov/fedreg
Agencies, White House, Public Laws
 Bills in State Congress:
Search under (your state) legislative bills or
search (your state) legislators

Conclusion
Becoming involved in government is
easier than you thought
 Get to know legislators
 Let them know what you think
 Develop ideas and solutions for
problems
 You can make a difference!

References

Information for this presentation was
obtained from George Mason University’s
Washington Health Policy Institute Course,
June 6-10, 2005, Washington, D.C.