Title: Advocacy for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
1Advocacy for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
- Fran C. Wheeler
- Chronic Disease Directors
- wheeler_at_chronicdisease.org
-
2Topics for Discussion
- Overview of Legislative Process
- Influencing Appropriations
- Basic Rules for Advocacy
- A Call to Action
3How a Bill Becomes Law
- Bill Introduction
- Subcommittee Action
- Committee Action
- Floor Action
- Conference Committee
- Presidential Action
4Traditional Committees for Public Health Advocacy
- HOUSE
- Energy Commerce
- Health
- Appropriations
- Labor, HHS, Ed
-
- SENATE
- Health, Education, Labor Pensions
- Public Health
- Appropriations
- Labor, HHS, Ed
5Other Committees for HDSP Advocacy
- Agriculture, Nutrition Forestry
- Armed Forces
- Budget
- Commerce, Science Transportation
- Energy Natural Resources
- Environment and Public Works
- Veterans Affairs
6Funding for HDSP Initiatives
- Budget Formulation
- Presidents Budget
- Congressional Budget
- Legislative Appropriations
7Budget Formulation
- June November
- Agency (CDC)
- Department (DHHS)
- Office of Management Budget (OMB)
8Presidents Budget
- First Monday in February
- State of the Union Address
- Budget request to Congress
9Congressional Budget
- April 15 Budget resolution
- Framework for total spending, based on revenue
- Mandatory vs. discretionary
- Allocations to Appropriations Committee
- 13 subcommittees
10Legislative Appropriations
- October 1 new fiscal year
- Full Approps Committees (X2)
- Subcommittees (x 13)
- Full Approps Committee (x 2)
- Full Senate/House (X2)
- Conference Committee
- President
11Appropriations Process Points of Influence
- Budget Formulation
- Agency, Department, OMB
- Congressional Budget
- House Senate Committees
- Legislative Appropriations
- Full Committees
- House Senate Subcommittees
12House SubcommitteeLabor-HSS-Ed Appropriations
- James Walsh, NY
- Ralph Regula, OH
- John Peterson, PA
- Dave Weldon, FL
- Michael Simpson, ID
- Dennis Rehberg, MT
- David Obey, WI
- Nita Lowey, NY
- Rosa DeLauro, CT
- Jesse Jackson, IL
- Patrick Kennedy, RI
- Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA
- Barbara Lee, CA
- Tom Udall, NM
- Michael Honda, CA
- Betty McCollum, MN
- Tim Ryan, OH
13Senate SubcommitteeLabor-HHS-Ed Appropriations
- Arlen Specter, PA
- Thad Cochran, MS
- Judd Gregg, NH
- Larry Craig, ID
- Kay B Hutchison, TX
- Ted Stevens, AK
- Richard Shelby, AL
- Tom Harkin, IA
- Daniel Inouye, HI
- Herb Kohl, WI
- Patty Murray, WA
- Mary Landrieu, LA
- Dick Durbin, IL
- Jack Reed, RI
- Frank Lautenberg, NJ
14What is Advocacy?
- Advocacy education action.
- An advocate is one who argues for a cause a
supporter or defender. - A lobbyist is a paid representative of a group,
organization or industry.
15Basic Rules for Advocacy
- Advocates must have a clear agenda.
- Advocacy must be based on science.
- Advocates must have the discipline to be
articulate. - Advocates must define their opportunities to
reach key players and decision-makers.
16Advocates have clear agenda
- Specific focus not single-issue
- Know what will sell
- Know what the hierarchy wants
- Written agenda explicit
- Consensus agenda no fighting
17Advocates use science
- Know the science base
- Know where can make a difference
- Use and protect your credibility
- Be honest, dont oversell
- Take the high ground
18Advocates are articulate
- No jargon
- Make it fit one page
- Know your audience
- Know your opposition
- Dont criticize others
- Washington Post rule
19Advocates are opportunistic
- Learn the process
- Take advantage of opportunities hearings,
briefings, trips to DC, recess - Collaboration bigger impact
- Coordination traffic control
- Repetition
20What can YOU do?
- Learn your workplace rules
- Act as an individual
- Act as member of an organization
- Act!
21Workplace Rules
- First Amendment rights
- Personal views
- Personal time
- No use of state or federal funds
- Agency policy
22Action Items
23Get Informed
- Who are your Members?
- What are their interests?
- What committees, subcommittees?
- What coalitions, caucuses
- Family health issues
- Hometown connections
24Write a letter
- Keep it short, single issue
- Identify yourself constituent, public health
professional - Be accurate
- Tell why important, impact
- State desired action
- Thanks, praise
25Make a personal visit
- Identify yourself as constituent
- Request an appointment
- Bring colleagues with you
- Deliver message in 3 minutes
- Be prepared, be a resource
- Follow up, thank you
26Make a phone call
- Call US Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121
- Ask for Office of Senator or Rep.
- Identify yourself as constituent
- Leave message
- Support/oppose bill
- Urge vote for/against
- One or two reasons
- Thanks
27Be a resource to staff
- Establish relationship
- State or local data
- Rankings, comparisons, maps
- Human interest stories
- State, local publications
- Research articles
28Invite them to your place
- Recess February, April, May, July, August,
October December - Give a speech
- Attend an event
- Make a site visit
- Receive an award/recognition
29Join a coalition or voluntary health organization
- Make your voice louder
- Get updates
- Get action alerts
- Work together
30Where to Get Help
- American Heart Association www.americanheart.org
- National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
www.chronicdisease.org - Centers for Disease Control www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dh
dsp
31Where to get help, cont.
- Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
www.fightchronicdisease.org - Partnership for Prevention www.prevent.org
- National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
www.womenheart.org - American Public Health Association www.apha.org
32Summary
- We cant do it without each other
- Education Action Advocacy
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Proof is in the pudding
- Many roads, one goal
- Public health is watching you
- Friends, gotta have em
- Timing is everything
33Do something!
-
- Democracy
- is not
- a spectator sport.