Facilitating Change in Health Policy

1. Facilitating Change in Health Policy By Mary Knutson, RN, MSN Health Vista, Inc. June 26, 2005

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Quick Review:

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. What Matters to Lawmakers? • Votes • Politics • Public Opinion

12. Legislators Have: • More issues than time • Thousands to millions of constituents • Their own interests, history, priorities Be persuasive Be persistant Be clear and concise

13. 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”

14. 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

15. 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!

16. References • Information for this presentation was obtained from George Mason University’s Washington Health Policy Institute Course, June 6-10, 2005, Washington, D.C.