Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement
As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.
Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.
To Prepare:
Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the attached resources.
The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)
Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources (in the uploaded files) are used.
Legislation is the process of creating a bill, sending the bill to committee, marking up a bill, and finally voting on the bill. This is not an easy process and many bills that are introduced never make it out of committee. Why do legislators not want safe staffing for nurses, or better mental healthcare, or vaccines for children? Money is one issue. The big tobacco companies, Pharma, and others lobby against passing bills. That is why nurses are needed! For week 4, you will choose proposed legislation (not enacted) and analyze it. Remember that there are two parts. For part 1, please use the template that is provided in uploaded file which will ensure that you address all of the essential elements of the assignment. For part 2, you will write an advocacy statement. This should be written in first person, in a persuasive manner, aimed at addressing the concerns of the opponents or proponents to your proposed legislation, depending on which stand you take.
