Assignment Prompt & Instructions
– 2 years ago
**files (2)**
– ## WK4SignatureAssignment.docx
– ## Week4ASSIGNMENT.pdf
**## WK4SignatureAssignment.docx**
**WK4 Signature Assignment: Advocate for or Against a Current or Proposed Bill Related to Public Health at the State Level**
### **Instructions**
#### **Political Advocacy Activity**
This is a small group activity that will explore your role as a political advocate. In a small group of 2-3 (or individually), you will assess a current state health initiative or legislation. Your group will assess and evaluate the implications of your chosen political issue. The project must include all sections listed below. If you prefer to work alone, please inform the professor during the first week of class.
1. Include a summary of the health-related bill by explaining the bill in your own words (i.e., main purpose for the legislation including problem or issue is supposed to address; the way the legislation intends to help address the issue).
2. Identify the author of the bill, including party affiliation and district number.
3. Describe the history of the bill and the impetus behind it. You should be able to obtain this by e-mailing the author of the bill.
4. Describe your view about the legislation including your rationale for choosing this bill and for supporting it or opposing it.
5. Explain the public health significance (e.g., epidemiologic statistics about the problem or issue the bill purports to address) social aspects (e.g., socioeconomic status, educational level, gender, religion of individuals who may be impacted by the law, etc.), political questions (e.g., political parties, Political Action Committees (PACs), support or opposition of special interests groups, for example: some industries) ethical concerns (e.g., issues of equity, justice, respect for privacy, autonomy), economic impact (e.g., fiscal consequences, financial burden for individuals or businesses), and professional issues (e.g., impact on health care providers or other professionals, views of healthcare groups such as The American Public Health Association, The American Medical Association) that may be related to the proposed law.
6. Identify individuals and organizations that support or oppose potential legislation. Research the position of each side and briefly describe the rationale for their stand.
7. Choose a political representative to contact from the district of one of the students in your group. If the bill your group selected was introduced in the assembly, contact an assemblyperson; on the other hand, if you are working on a piece of legislation being considered in the senate, contact your local senator. Make sure you do not contact the author of the bill you are writing about, as this would not make sense for the purpose of this activity. Identify the representative you contacted and include – name, address, telephone number, e-mail, party affiliation, district number.
8. Send an email to your representative’s office and explain your collective view about the issue (i.e., why your group supports or opposes the bill). You need to come to a consensus as a group, so your collective opinion appears coherent. Inquire if the representative has made a decision about how they will vote on this legislation. In your paper, summarize the response to this effort.
#### **Political Activity Presentation**
This is a group presentation based on the Political Advocacy Activity above. You will develop a PowerPoint presentation that follows the format below. (Total time not to exceed 10 minutes)
· Post a link to your bill (or post a copy of the actual bill)
· One member of the group will summarize the most relevant aspects of the bill (e.g., author, history of the bill (if available), author’s party affiliation, purpose, purported impact on public health, possible economic impact)
· Each group will present both the arguments for and against (i.e., the pros and cons) the bill to the class. These arguments may have been made by any person or organization in favor or in opposition of the bill but also may have been derived from your group analysis of the proposed legislation.
· Meaningful summary and conclusion of material presented.
The group should develop a few evocative discussion questions to stimulate discussion.
### **Requirements**
· Length: This assignment must be at least 5 pages (excluding the title and reference pages).
· References: Include 5 scholarly resources.
**## Week4ASSIGNMENT.pdf**
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 1: WRITTEN REPORT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 1: Select a Health-Related Bill
• Choose a current state health initiative or
legislation that is under consideration.
• The bill should address a public health or healthcare
issue (e.g., Medicaid expansion, mental health
funding, reproductive rights, vaccine mandates, etc.).
• Find the full text of the bill from a government
website (e.g., your state legislature’s website).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 2: Summarize the Bill in Your Own Words
• Explain the purpose of the bill—what problem is it trying to
solve?
• Describe how the bill aims to fix the issue (e.g., funding
new programs, changing regulations, increasing penalties,
etc.).
• Keep this section concise but clear, demonstrating a strong
understanding of the bill’s key points.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 3: Identify the Bill’s Author & Political
Background
• Who introduced the bill?
• What is their political party affiliation?
• Which district do they represent?
• Is the author part of a particular committee that focuses on
health-related issues?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 4: Describe the History of the Bill
• Why was this bill introduced? What event or public concern
led to it?
• Has this issue been proposed before? If so, what happened
previously?
• How do you find this information?
• Look at press releases from the bill’s sponsor.
• Email the bill’s author’s office for background details.
• Research news articles or legislative records to
understand its context and progression.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 5: Explain Your Perspective on the Bill
• State whether you support or oppose the bill.
• Justify your position with evidence (e.g., public
health impact, economic implications, ethical
concerns).
• Explain why your group selected this bill—does it
affect a vulnerable population? Is it controversial?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5 Pages)
Ê Step 6: Assess the Bill’s Public Health Significance
Ê For this section, break down the various implications of the bill:
Ê Public Health Impact – What health issue does the bill target? Include
epidemiological data (e.g., how many people are affected by the issue?).
Ê Social Considerations – Who is impacted? Consider factors like income,
education level, race/ethnicity, gender, and disability status.
Ê Political Considerations – Which political parties, PACs, and lobbyist
groups support or oppose it?
Ê Ethical Concerns – Does the bill raise equity, privacy, or autonomy
concerns?
Ê Economic Impact – How much will it cost? Who pays for it? Could it
reduce healthcare costs long-term?
Ê Professional Stakeholder Reactions – What do medical associations,
hospitals, insurance companies, or advocacy groups say about this bill?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 7: Identify Supporters & Opponents
• Who supports this bill? (Public health
organizations, nonprofits, healthcare workers,
patients, etc.)
• Who opposes it? (Private industry, certain political
groups, taxpayer watchdog groups, etc.)
• Why does each side hold their position?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 8: Contact a Political Representative
• Choose a state senator or assembly member from your district
(NOT the bill’s author).
• Find their name, party affiliation, district number, and contact
information (email, phone number, office address).
• Email their office expressing your group’s stance on the bill.
• Ask if they have taken a position on the bill and summarize their
response in your report.
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 2: VIDEO/VOICEOVER POWEPOINT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 1: Post a Link to the Bill
• Share the bill’s official webpage or upload a copy of the bill.
Ê Step 2: Present an Overview of the Bill
Ê One group member should summarize:
Ê The bill’s purpose
Ê Who introduced it (author, party, district)?
Ê The bill’s history and why it was proposed
Ê Public health and economic impact
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 3: Present the Arguments For & Against the
Bill
• Divide the group so that one person presents supporting
arguments and another presents opposing arguments.
• Include:
• Arguments from public health professionals, industry
leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Your own analysis of the bill’s strengths and
weaknesses.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-
Over PowerPoint)
Ê Step 4: Provide a Meaningful Conclusion
• Summarize the most important takeaways from
the bill.
• Share your group’s final stance (Do you support or
oppose it? Why?).
• End with a call to action (e.g., encouraging public
engagement, voting, or advocacy efforts).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 5: Create Discussion Questions for the Class
Ê Your group should prepare at least two discussion
questions that encourage critical thinking.
Ê Examples:
1. Should public health funding be mandatory for certain
healthcare services, or should it be voluntary based on state
budgets?
2. What are the ethical considerations of restricting or
expanding healthcare services through state legislation?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Final Requirements & Submission Details
Ê Written Paper: At least 5 pages (not including title/reference
pages).
Ê Citations: At least 5 scholarly resources in APA format.
Ê Video/PowerPoint Presentation: 10 minutes maximum, posted
to the class discussion board.
Ê Due: Sunday of Week 4 before 11:59pm
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Key Takeaways to Succeed
Ê Pick a bill with strong public health implications – something
with clear support and opposition makes for a better analysis.
Ê Divide the work among group members (if you choose to work
in a group)
Ê Back up every claim with evidence – use statistics, expert
opinions, and policy research.
Ê Follow APA guidelines – use in-text citations and a formatted
reference list.
Ê Engage in discussion – your classmates will respond to your
presentation, so be prepared to answer their questions.
**## Week4ASSIGNMENT.pdf**
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 1: WRITTEN REPORT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 1: Select a Health-Related Bill
• Choose a current state health initiative or
legislation that is under consideration.
• The bill should address a public health or healthcare
issue (e.g., Medicaid expansion, mental health
funding, reproductive rights, vaccine mandates, etc.).
• Find the full text of the bill from a government
website (e.g., your state legislature’s website).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 2: Summarize the Bill in Your Own Words
• Explain the purpose of the bill—what problem is it trying to
solve?
• Describe how the bill aims to fix the issue (e.g., funding
new programs, changing regulations, increasing penalties,
etc.).
• Keep this section concise but clear, demonstrating a strong
understanding of the bill’s key points.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 3: Identify the Bill’s Author & Political
Background
• Who introduced the bill?
• What is their political party affiliation?
• Which district do they represent?
• Is the author part of a particular committee that focuses on
health-related issues?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 4: Describe the History of the Bill
• Why was this bill introduced? What event or public concern
led to it?
• Has this issue been proposed before? If so, what happened
previously?
• How do you find this information?
• Look at press releases from the bill’s sponsor.
• Email the bill’s author’s office for background details.
• Research news articles or legislative records to
understand its context and progression.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 5: Explain Your Perspective on the Bill
• State whether you support or oppose the bill.
• Justify your position with evidence (e.g., public
health impact, economic implications, ethical
concerns).
• Explain why your group selected this bill—does it
affect a vulnerable population? Is it controversial?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5 Pages)
Ê Step 6: Assess the Bill’s Public Health Significance
Ê For this section, break down the various implications of the bill:
Ê Public Health Impact – What health issue does the bill target? Include
epidemiological data (e.g., how many people are affected by the issue?).
Ê Social Considerations – Who is impacted? Consider factors like income,
education level, race/ethnicity, gender, and disability status.
Ê Political Considerations – Which political parties, PACs, and lobbyist
groups support or oppose it?
Ê Ethical Concerns – Does the bill raise equity, privacy, or autonomy
concerns?
Ê Economic Impact – How much will it cost? Who pays for it? Could it
reduce healthcare costs long-term?
Ê Professional Stakeholder Reactions – What do medical associations,
hospitals, insurance companies, or advocacy groups say about this bill?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 7: Identify Supporters & Opponents
• Who supports this bill? (Public health
organizations, nonprofits, healthcare workers,
patients, etc.)
• Who opposes it? (Private industry, certain political
groups, taxpayer watchdog groups, etc.)
• Why does each side hold their position?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 8: Contact a Political Representative
• Choose a state senator or assembly member from your district
(NOT the bill’s author).
• Find their name, party affiliation, district number, and contact
information (email, phone number, office address).
• Email their office expressing your group’s stance on the bill.
• Ask if they have taken a position on the bill and summarize their
response in your report.
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 2: VIDEO/VOICEOVER POWEPOINT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 1: Post a Link to the Bill
• Share the bill’s official webpage or upload a copy of the bill.
Ê Step 2: Present an Overview of the Bill
Ê One group member should summarize:
Ê The bill’s purpose
Ê Who introduced it (author, party, district)?
Ê The bill’s history and why it was proposed
Ê Public health and economic impact
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 3: Present the Arguments For & Against the
Bill
• Divide the group so that one person presents supporting
arguments and another presents opposing arguments.
• Include:
• Arguments from public health professionals, industry
leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Your own analysis of the bill’s strengths and
weaknesses.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-
Over PowerPoint)
Ê Step 4: Provide a Meaningful Conclusion
• Summarize the most important takeaways from
the bill.
• Share your group’s final stance (Do you support or
oppose it? Why?).
• End with a call to action (e.g., encouraging public
engagement, voting, or advocacy efforts).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 5: Create Discussion Questions for the Class
Ê Your group should prepare at least two discussion
questions that encourage critical thinking.
Ê Examples:
1. Should public health funding be mandatory for certain
healthcare services, or should it be voluntary based on state
budgets?
2. What are the ethical considerations of restricting or
expanding healthcare services through state legislation?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Final Requirements & Submission Details
Ê Written Paper: At least 5 pages (not including title/reference
pages).
Ê Citations: At least 5 scholarly resources in APA format.
Ê Video/PowerPoint Presentation: 10 minutes maximum, posted
to the class discussion board.
Ê Due: Sunday of Week 4 before 11:59pm
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Key Takeaways to Succeed
Ê Pick a bill with strong public health implications – something
with clear support and opposition makes for a better analysis.
Ê Divide the work among group members (if you choose to work
in a group)
Ê Back up every claim with evidence – use statistics, expert
opinions, and policy research.
Ê Follow APA guidelines – use in-text citations and a formatted
reference list.
Ê Engage in discussion – your classmates will respond to your
presentation, so be prepared to answer their questions.
**## WK4SignatureAssignment.docx**
**WK4 Signature Assignment: Advocate for or Against a Current or Proposed Bill Related to Public Health at the State Level**
### **Instructions**
#### **Political Advocacy Activity**
This is a small group activity that will explore your role as a political advocate. In a small group of 2-3 (or individually), you will assess a current state health initiative or legislation. Your group will assess and evaluate the implications of your chosen political issue. The project must include all sections listed below. If you prefer to work alone, please inform the professor during the first week of class.
1. Include a summary of the health-related bill by explaining the bill in your own words (i.e., main purpose for the legislation including problem or issue is supposed to address; the way the legislation intends to help address the issue).
2. Identify the author of the bill, including party affiliation and district number.
3. Describe the history of the bill and the impetus behind it. You should be able to obtain this by e-mailing the author of the bill.
4. Describe your view about the legislation including your rationale for choosing this bill and for supporting it or opposing it.
5. Explain the public health significance (e.g., epidemiologic statistics about the problem or issue the bill purports to address) social aspects (e.g., socioeconomic status, educational level, gender, religion of individuals who may be impacted by the law, etc.), political questions (e.g., political parties, Political Action Committees (PACs), support or opposition of special interests groups, for example: some industries) ethical concerns (e.g., issues of equity, justice, respect for privacy, autonomy), economic impact (e.g., fiscal consequences, financial burden for individuals or businesses), and professional issues (e.g., impact on health care providers or other professionals, views of healthcare groups such as The American Public Health Association, The American Medical Association) that may be related to the proposed law.
6. Identify individuals and organizations that support or oppose potential legislation. Research the position of each side and briefly describe the rationale for their stand.
7. Choose a political representative to contact from the district of one of the students in your group. If the bill your group selected was introduced in the assembly, contact an assemblyperson; on the other hand, if you are working on a piece of legislation being considered in the senate, contact your local senator. Make sure you do not contact the author of the bill you are writing about, as this would not make sense for the purpose of this activity. Identify the representative you contacted and include – name, address, telephone number, e-mail, party affiliation, district number.
8. Send an email to your representative’s office and explain your collective view about the issue (i.e., why your group supports or opposes the bill). You need to come to a consensus as a group, so your collective opinion appears coherent. Inquire if the representative has made a decision about how they will vote on this legislation. In your paper, summarize the response to this effort.
#### **Political Activity Presentation**
This is a group presentation based on the Political Advocacy Activity above. You will develop a PowerPoint presentation that follows the format below. (Total time not to exceed 10 minutes)
· Post a link to your bill (or post a copy of the actual bill)
· One member of the group will summarize the most relevant aspects of the bill (e.g., author, history of the bill (if available), author’s party affiliation, purpose, purported impact on public health, possible economic impact)
· Each group will present both the arguments for and against (i.e., the pros and cons) the bill to the class. These arguments may have been made by any person or organization in favor or in opposition of the bill but also may have been derived from your group analysis of the proposed legislation.
· Meaningful summary and conclusion of material presented.
The group should develop a few evocative discussion questions to stimulate discussion.
### **Requirements**
· Length: This assignment must be at least 5 pages (excluding the title and reference pages).
· References: Include 5 scholarly resources.
**## Week4ASSIGNMENT.pdf**
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 1: WRITTEN REPORT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 1: Select a Health-Related Bill
• Choose a current state health initiative or
legislation that is under consideration.
• The bill should address a public health or healthcare
issue (e.g., Medicaid expansion, mental health
funding, reproductive rights, vaccine mandates, etc.).
• Find the full text of the bill from a government
website (e.g., your state legislature’s website).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 2: Summarize the Bill in Your Own Words
• Explain the purpose of the bill—what problem is it trying to
solve?
• Describe how the bill aims to fix the issue (e.g., funding
new programs, changing regulations, increasing penalties,
etc.).
• Keep this section concise but clear, demonstrating a strong
understanding of the bill’s key points.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 3: Identify the Bill’s Author & Political
Background
• Who introduced the bill?
• What is their political party affiliation?
• Which district do they represent?
• Is the author part of a particular committee that focuses on
health-related issues?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 4: Describe the History of the Bill
• Why was this bill introduced? What event or public concern
led to it?
• Has this issue been proposed before? If so, what happened
previously?
• How do you find this information?
• Look at press releases from the bill’s sponsor.
• Email the bill’s author’s office for background details.
• Research news articles or legislative records to
understand its context and progression.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 5: Explain Your Perspective on the Bill
• State whether you support or oppose the bill.
• Justify your position with evidence (e.g., public
health impact, economic implications, ethical
concerns).
• Explain why your group selected this bill—does it
affect a vulnerable population? Is it controversial?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5 Pages)
Ê Step 6: Assess the Bill’s Public Health Significance
Ê For this section, break down the various implications of the bill:
Ê Public Health Impact – What health issue does the bill target? Include
epidemiological data (e.g., how many people are affected by the issue?).
Ê Social Considerations – Who is impacted? Consider factors like income,
education level, race/ethnicity, gender, and disability status.
Ê Political Considerations – Which political parties, PACs, and lobbyist
groups support or oppose it?
Ê Ethical Concerns – Does the bill raise equity, privacy, or autonomy
concerns?
Ê Economic Impact – How much will it cost? Who pays for it? Could it
reduce healthcare costs long-term?
Ê Professional Stakeholder Reactions – What do medical associations,
hospitals, insurance companies, or advocacy groups say about this bill?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 7: Identify Supporters & Opponents
• Who supports this bill? (Public health
organizations, nonprofits, healthcare workers,
patients, etc.)
• Who opposes it? (Private industry, certain political
groups, taxpayer watchdog groups, etc.)
• Why does each side hold their position?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 8: Contact a Political Representative
• Choose a state senator or assembly member from your district
(NOT the bill’s author).
• Find their name, party affiliation, district number, and contact
information (email, phone number, office address).
• Email their office expressing your group’s stance on the bill.
• Ask if they have taken a position on the bill and summarize their
response in your report.
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 2: VIDEO/VOICEOVER POWEPOINT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 1: Post a Link to the Bill
• Share the bill’s official webpage or upload a copy of the bill.
Ê Step 2: Present an Overview of the Bill
Ê One group member should summarize:
Ê The bill’s purpose
Ê Who introduced it (author, party, district)?
Ê The bill’s history and why it was proposed
Ê Public health and economic impact
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 3: Present the Arguments For & Against the
Bill
• Divide the group so that one person presents supporting
arguments and another presents opposing arguments.
• Include:
• Arguments from public health professionals, industry
leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Your own analysis of the bill’s strengths and
weaknesses.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-
Over PowerPoint)
Ê Step 4: Provide a Meaningful Conclusion
• Summarize the most important takeaways from
the bill.
• Share your group’s final stance (Do you support or
oppose it? Why?).
• End with a call to action (e.g., encouraging public
engagement, voting, or advocacy efforts).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 5: Create Discussion Questions for the Class
Ê Your group should prepare at least two discussion
questions that encourage critical thinking.
Ê Examples:
1. Should public health funding be mandatory for certain
healthcare services, or should it be voluntary based on state
budgets?
2. What are the ethical considerations of restricting or
expanding healthcare services through state legislation?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Final Requirements & Submission Details
Ê Written Paper: At least 5 pages (not including title/reference
pages).
Ê Citations: At least 5 scholarly resources in APA format.
Ê Video/PowerPoint Presentation: 10 minutes maximum, posted
to the class discussion board.
Ê Due: Sunday of Week 4 before 11:59pm
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Key Takeaways to Succeed
Ê Pick a bill with strong public health implications – something
with clear support and opposition makes for a better analysis.
Ê Divide the work among group members (if you choose to work
in a group)
Ê Back up every claim with evidence – use statistics, expert
opinions, and policy research.
Ê Follow APA guidelines – use in-text citations and a formatted
reference list.
Ê Engage in discussion – your classmates will respond to your
presentation, so be prepared to answer their questions.
**## WK4SignatureAssignment.docx**
**WK4 Signature Assignment: Advocate for or Against a Current or Proposed Bill Related to Public Health at the State Level**
### **Instructions**
#### **Political Advocacy Activity**
This is a small group activity that will explore your role as a political advocate. In a small group of 2-3 (or individually), you will assess a current state health initiative or legislation. Your group will assess and evaluate the implications of your chosen political issue. The project must include all sections listed below. If you prefer to work alone, please inform the professor during the first week of class.
1. Include a summary of the health-related bill by explaining the bill in your own words (i.e., main purpose for the legislation including problem or issue is supposed to address; the way the legislation intends to help address the issue).
2. Identify the author of the bill, including party affiliation and district number.
3. Describe the history of the bill and the impetus behind it. You should be able to obtain this by e-mailing the author of the bill.
4. Describe your view about the legislation including your rationale for choosing this bill and for supporting it or opposing it.
5. Explain the public health significance (e.g., epidemiologic statistics about the problem or issue the bill purports to address) social aspects (e.g., socioeconomic status, educational level, gender, religion of individuals who may be impacted by the law, etc.), political questions (e.g., political parties, Political Action Committees (PACs), support or opposition of special interests groups, for example: some industries) ethical concerns (e.g., issues of equity, justice, respect for privacy, autonomy), economic impact (e.g., fiscal consequences, financial burden for individuals or businesses), and professional issues (e.g., impact on health care providers or other professionals, views of healthcare groups such as The American Public Health Association, The American Medical Association) that may be related to the proposed law.
6. Identify individuals and organizations that support or oppose potential legislation. Research the position of each side and briefly describe the rationale for their stand.
7. Choose a political representative to contact from the district of one of the students in your group. If the bill your group selected was introduced in the assembly, contact an assemblyperson; on the other hand, if you are working on a piece of legislation being considered in the senate, contact your local senator. Make sure you do not contact the author of the bill you are writing about, as this would not make sense for the purpose of this activity. Identify the representative you contacted and include – name, address, telephone number, e-mail, party affiliation, district number.
8. Send an email to your representative’s office and explain your collective view about the issue (i.e., why your group supports or opposes the bill). You need to come to a consensus as a group, so your collective opinion appears coherent. Inquire if the representative has made a decision about how they will vote on this legislation. In your paper, summarize the response to this effort.
#### **Political Activity Presentation**
This is a group presentation based on the Political Advocacy Activity above. You will develop a PowerPoint presentation that follows the format below. (Total time not to exceed 10 minutes)
· Post a link to your bill (or post a copy of the actual bill)
· One member of the group will summarize the most relevant aspects of the bill (e.g., author, history of the bill (if available), author’s party affiliation, purpose, purported impact on public health, possible economic impact)
· Each group will present both the arguments for and against (i.e., the pros and cons) the bill to the class. These arguments may have been made by any person or organization in favor or in opposition of the bill but also may have been derived from your group analysis of the proposed legislation.
· Meaningful summary and conclusion of material presented.
The group should develop a few evocative discussion questions to stimulate discussion.
### **Requirements**
· Length: This assignment must be at least 5 pages (excluding the title and reference pages).
· References: Include 5 scholarly resources.
**## Week4ASSIGNMENT.pdf**
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 1: WRITTEN REPORT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 1: Select a Health-Related Bill
• Choose a current state health initiative or
legislation that is under consideration.
• The bill should address a public health or healthcare
issue (e.g., Medicaid expansion, mental health
funding, reproductive rights, vaccine mandates, etc.).
• Find the full text of the bill from a government
website (e.g., your state legislature’s website).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 2: Summarize the Bill in Your Own Words
• Explain the purpose of the bill—what problem is it trying to
solve?
• Describe how the bill aims to fix the issue (e.g., funding
new programs, changing regulations, increasing penalties,
etc.).
• Keep this section concise but clear, demonstrating a strong
understanding of the bill’s key points.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 3: Identify the Bill’s Author & Political
Background
• Who introduced the bill?
• What is their political party affiliation?
• Which district do they represent?
• Is the author part of a particular committee that focuses on
health-related issues?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 4: Describe the History of the Bill
• Why was this bill introduced? What event or public concern
led to it?
• Has this issue been proposed before? If so, what happened
previously?
• How do you find this information?
• Look at press releases from the bill’s sponsor.
• Email the bill’s author’s office for background details.
• Research news articles or legislative records to
understand its context and progression.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 5: Explain Your Perspective on the Bill
• State whether you support or oppose the bill.
• Justify your position with evidence (e.g., public
health impact, economic implications, ethical
concerns).
• Explain why your group selected this bill—does it
affect a vulnerable population? Is it controversial?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment(Written Report – Minimum 5 Pages)
Ê Step 6: Assess the Bill’s Public Health Significance
Ê For this section, break down the various implications of the bill:
Ê Public Health Impact – What health issue does the bill target? Include
epidemiological data (e.g., how many people are affected by the issue?).
Ê Social Considerations – Who is impacted? Consider factors like income,
education level, race/ethnicity, gender, and disability status.
Ê Political Considerations – Which political parties, PACs, and lobbyist
groups support or oppose it?
Ê Ethical Concerns – Does the bill raise equity, privacy, or autonomy
concerns?
Ê Economic Impact – How much will it cost? Who pays for it? Could it
reduce healthcare costs long-term?
Ê Professional Stakeholder Reactions – What do medical associations,
hospitals, insurance companies, or advocacy groups say about this bill?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against
a Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report –
Minimum 5 Pages)
ÊStep 7: Identify Supporters & Opponents
• Who supports this bill? (Public health
organizations, nonprofits, healthcare workers,
patients, etc.)
• Who opposes it? (Private industry, certain political
groups, taxpayer watchdog groups, etc.)
• Why does each side hold their position?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (Written Report – Minimum 5
Pages)
Ê Step 8: Contact a Political Representative
• Choose a state senator or assembly member from your district
(NOT the bill’s author).
• Find their name, party affiliation, district number, and contact
information (email, phone number, office address).
• Email their office expressing your group’s stance on the bill.
• Ask if they have taken a position on the bill and summarize their
response in your report.
Week 4 Assignment–
Looking Ahead
PART 2: VIDEO/VOICEOVER POWEPOINT
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 1: Post a Link to the Bill
• Share the bill’s official webpage or upload a copy of the bill.
Ê Step 2: Present an Overview of the Bill
Ê One group member should summarize:
Ê The bill’s purpose
Ê Who introduced it (author, party, district)?
Ê The bill’s history and why it was proposed
Ê Public health and economic impact
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 3: Present the Arguments For & Against the
Bill
• Divide the group so that one person presents supporting
arguments and another presents opposing arguments.
• Include:
• Arguments from public health professionals, industry
leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Your own analysis of the bill’s strengths and
weaknesses.
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-
Over PowerPoint)
Ê Step 4: Provide a Meaningful Conclusion
• Summarize the most important takeaways from
the bill.
• Share your group’s final stance (Do you support or
oppose it? Why?).
• End with a call to action (e.g., encouraging public
engagement, voting, or advocacy efforts).
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Signature Assignment (10-Minute Video or Voice-Over
PowerPoint)
Ê Step 5: Create Discussion Questions for the Class
Ê Your group should prepare at least two discussion
questions that encourage critical thinking.
Ê Examples:
1. Should public health funding be mandatory for certain
healthcare services, or should it be voluntary based on state
budgets?
2. What are the ethical considerations of restricting or
expanding healthcare services through state legislation?
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Final Requirements & Submission Details
Ê Written Paper: At least 5 pages (not including title/reference
pages).
Ê Citations: At least 5 scholarly resources in APA format.
Ê Video/PowerPoint Presentation: 10 minutes maximum, posted
to the class discussion board.
Ê Due: Sunday of Week 4 before 11:59pm
Signature Assignment: Advocate for/against a
Current/Proposed PH Bill at the State Level
Ê Key Takeaways to Succeed
Ê Pick a bill with strong public health implications – something
with clear support and opposition makes for a better analysis.
Ê Divide the work among group members (if you choose to work
in a group)
Ê Back up every claim with evidence – use statistics, expert
opinions, and policy research.
Ê Follow APA guidelines – use in-text citations and a formatted
reference list.
Ê Engage in discussion – your classmates will respond to your
presentation, so be prepared to answer their questions.