Health Policy Advocacy

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Becoming involved in health policy advocacy is not only a right but also a responsibility.

students will research and choose current health issues or problems that they feel are important to them or the health of the community. ????

Students will send a letter to their local House Representative or Senator about the health issue the students are interested.

Guidelines for Writing a Letter/Communicating with Legislators:

Be polite in tone and language

Identify yourself as a registered voter, constituent and a member of whatever organization in your opening sentence.

Immediately identify the topic you are writing about

Focus on one or two points

Make brief points

Describe the importance of the issue to you, your community, and nation.

Clearly state what you are asking the legislator to do (co-sponsor a particular bill, or vote for or against a measure, bill, etc).

Be informed.

Be familiar with the basic facts and points

Avoid too many details or scientific information, but have additional information available if requested

Verify your facts—your story maybe told again by the legislator.

Personalize your own story or that of a patient and explain the relevance to the issue at hand.

Include relevant information from your district or state, and explain how the issue can affect the area.

Offer to be of assistance and serve as a resource

Thank the legislator.

Ask for a response.

Send the letter as an email to the legislator.

Sample Solution

Taking Action: Sample Letter to Your Legislator on Health Equity

Dear Representative [Representative’s Last Name] or Senator [Senator’s Last Name],

I am writing to you today as a concerned constituent and registered voter residing in [Your City, State]. I am deeply passionate about achieving health equity in our community and across the nation.

Health equity refers to everyone having the opportunity to attain their full health potential, regardless of race, ethnicity, zip code, or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, many barriers prevent this from becoming a reality.

Specifically, I am concerned about [Mention a specific health equity issue you care about, for example: access to affordable healthcare in underserved communities, lack of health insurance coverage options for low-income residents, or racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes].

In [Your City/State], we see the effects of this issue firsthand. [Provide a relevant statistic or story that highlights the impact of the health equity issue in your community]. This not only has a devastating impact on individuals and families, but also creates a burden on our healthcare system.

Therefore, I urge you to [Clearly state your request to the legislator. Here are some options depending on the issue you choose]:

  • Co-sponsor a bill that addresses [mention the specific health equity issue].
  • Support legislation that expands access to affordable healthcare in underserved communities.
  • Allocate funding to programs that promote health equity initiatives.

I believe that achieving health equity is a critical step towards a healthier and more just society. I am available to provide you with additional information or connect you with resources in our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Phone Number (Optional)]

[Your Email Address]

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