Health Policy Advocacy WHY IT MUST MATTER TO YOU!.

Health Policy Advocacy WHY IT MUST MATTER TO YOU!

I have no conflicts of interest to report and I have no relevant financial

relationships with any ‘commercial interests’ in regards to this presentation. I have completed all the Disclosure Form.

Vicki S. GiambroneExecutive Vice President and PartnerCBD [email protected]

Learning Objectives

Discuss what advocacy means and what it doesn’t mean.Discuss the importance of advocacy for health professionals.Understand everyone has a role as an advocate.Identify actions individuals can take to advocate.

What Does Advocacy Really Mean?

An Advocate is Active◦Speaks in favor of◦Supports or defends a cause…

◦Pleads on another’s behalf...

Advocacy versus LobbyingThe goals of advocacy and lobbying are similar - processes are different.Lobbying isn’t bad or unethical. Non-profit organizations can advocate and lobbyLegislators need to/ should interact with issue leadersCommunication for educational purposes is not lobbyingTestifying or offering advice is not lobbying

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Why Is Advocacy Important? Ability to inform and impact public policy.

Keeps the focus on those in need who may not be able to speak for themselves

Promotes change at the “systems” level

Works to overcome system barriers

Highlights the work of your organizations and your profession

Why YOU Must be Engaged!Who better than you to educate, inform, influence and impact those who have the power to decide.

A seat at the table.

Academic Prevention and Public Health Professionals

Bring credibilityAre keenly aware of the needs, trends and effectsAccess to resources most of us don’t haveIt impacts almost all of your work And you care

Why don’t people engage in Advocacy? Lack of comfort with/knowledge of advocacy processThink you can’tThink you shouldn’t

It can be fun!Really!

It can be rewarding!

Put on your big girl/boy pants & go for it!

Build Your Advocacy Tool Kit

Choose your issueDecide on 1 or 2 issues that particularly interest you, your affiliation group and/or your students

What is of most interest to you the health professionals in your area?

What issues have been identified by the Community Health Assessments?

Develop a Foundation of Knowledge

Do your research! Really get to know the issue(s) What is the challenge What is or isn’t happening that makes it an

issue

Identify all “players” that are involved in the issue. Identify who might be against your issue Understand their position and see if there

is any common ground

Identify the possible solutions.

Identify the processWhat is the local/state legislative process? Where is your issue in this process?What agencies have any influence authority or control over the issue?Who needs to know about your advocacy?What key contacts do we need to make?

Build CredibilityNETWORKKeep up with key contacts/advocatesBecome a Trusted Source of InformationSend information without asking anything in returnIdentify, work with, and encourage others to get engaged.

Advocacy Groups & Coalitions Adds Value

Increase links to decision makersProvide background information on legislative issues

Identify others interested in same issue(s)Enhance credibility with governmental agencies and other advocacy groups

Increase resources, share workload

Extending CHIP

Delivering Your MessageMake it about awareness and education of the issue

Be specific and to the point.

Avoid using jargon

Make it person. Tell them a story about a person/family or child that best illustrates this problem

State your proposed solution clearly

Provide leave behind materials with contact information

Always tell the truth

Don’t bad mouth the other side

Make it real. Make it personal. Make it easy to connect.

Who needs to hear your message

Elected officials and Candidates And their staff members

Agency AdministratorsGrass-tops

Business & Community Leaders Board members Political donors

Grassroots Public

Targeted like minded individuals Voters

Media

Don’t Burn Bridges With Legislators; Treat Them With Respect

Don’t be too pushy or too demanding.Don’t personally attack or question their integrityDon’t play one legislator against anotherAlways keep them informed and be fully truthful.

Engagement Strategies That WorkRelationship BuildingPolicy ProposalsResearch and Issue BriefingsPilot ProjectsPublic Service ProgramsCoalition Awards/EventsPublic Service AnnouncementsVoter Education

Sharing Your Issue with the Public…Meet with the communications/media people in your organization; professional associations and community organizations.Offer to be a media resource.Become a trusted resourceGet a social media profile – read about how to become and “Influencer”Consider being a blogger for your organization

“Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!”

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"Getting A Shot: You Can Do It!” Just In Time for Flu Season

Achieving Incremental Success

Big wins often require perfect timing—small wins keep advancing the issue.

Remember it’s a marathon – not a sprint.

It took seven years to get a booster seat bill in Ohio – still not a primary offense.

Comprehensive change is often difficult to achieve.

Fitting Advocacy Into Busy Lives

Be registered to vote.Get on an advocacy alert e-mail listGo to a legislative/issue function Talk—tell storiesWear a conspicuous badge/T-shirtWrite a letter to your legislatorPost on Facebook

Learning Objectives Review

Discuss what advocacy means and what it doesn’t mean.Discuss the importance of advocacy for health professionals.Understand everyone has a role as an advocate.Identify actions individuals can take to advocate.

Questions?

Consider Working With a Lobbyist Some groups, organizations and coalitions may be able to afford one

Align with an organization that already has a lobbyist

Recruit volunteers who have experience in lobbying if a lobbyist is not possible

Lobbying Shouldn’t Be a Negative Term

• Any attempt to influence legislation is lobbying• Directly stating a position on specific legislation to

legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation; or,

• Any attempt to influence legislation is lobbying• Direct - stating a position on specific legislation to

legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation; or,

• Grassroots - urging your members or the general public to contact their legislators with a position on specific legislation (a “call to action”).

Lobbying and Non profits 1976 Lobby Law - non profits can lobby

◦ Sections 501 (h) and 4911 of the Tax Reform Act of 1976◦ 501(c)(3) “charitable” organizations are subject to limits or absolute

prohibitions

What’s Permitted◦ Issue Advocacy ◦ Voter Registration◦ Nonpartisan Voter Education◦ Nonpartisan Candidate Education◦ Nonpartisan Candidate Forums◦ Support or oppose ballot questions

Lobbying and Non-profits What's Prohibited

◦ Can’t spend more than a “substantial amount”◦ Organization may not support or oppose any candidate for public office,

including◦ Endorse candidates for office ◦ Make a campaign contribution or expenditure for a candidate ◦ Use or let candidates use its facilities, resources or mailing lists, unless it is equally available to all

candidates ◦ Use an election communication explicitly designed to favor or oppose a candidate

◦ Focus your efforts on policy and regulation changes◦ Focus on clarifying or seeking change of governmental roles and

responsibilities◦ Bring awareness of public interest issues ◦ Educate legislators, administrators, judges, and community leaders ◦ Develop relationships