Week 6 Health Care Policy-Reform Congressional Letter Assignment

Week 6 Health Care Policy-Reform Congressional Letter Assignment

According to AACN (2010) “As nurses you already possess significant expertise regarding the profession, however understanding the issues related to federal policy is key to being an effective advocate” (p.8) .

In this assignment you will create a letter to a congressman to share your expert *researched policy statement. The US government is divided on the Affordable Care Act and your opinion counts. “Because a member of Congress’ constituents serve as the “boss” it is especially important that they hear from nursing … constituents in their district-…on policy matters impacting nursing…” (p. 9).

Assignment Guidelines:

-Identify your members of Congress (AACN, 2010, p. 11)

-Research your chosen member and identify the committees, political views, bills they support

Have they supported any bills which directly impact nurses?

-Review Letters, E-mails, and Phone Calls (AACN, 2010, p. 13)

-Using the Guide and Template provided by AACN write a letter to congress (AACN, 2010, p. 14).

Mail, *Fax, or Email the letter to Congress (For purposes of this assignment do not use an electronic letter, however, compose your own personal policy statement letter in your own words)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2010). From patient advocacy to political activism: AACN’s guide to understanding healthcare policy and politics. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/government-affairs/AACNPolicyHandbook_2010.pdf

IDENTIFY MEMBER OF CONGRESS IN YOUR AREA

(30 Points)

Chooses one congressional representative in nurses demographic area

Chooses one congressional representative outside of nurses demographic area

Chooses a member of local politics in nurses demographic area

**Does not address the letter to any member of congress or political leader

RESEARCH CONGRESSIONAL INDIVIDUAL

(30 Points)

Provides a one to two page SUCCINCT summary of the chosen congressman’s political viewpoint, Affordable Care Act voting history, and other relevant information related to   nursing issues (include references)

Provides a one page summary of chosen congressman’s viewpoint which does not pertain to their view of the Affordable Care Act. References provided.

Provides a paragraph or less reporting on the Congressman’s views or political persuasion, Does not include references and does not share his voting history or political stance.

Does not provide any summary of the chosen Congressman’s political views, or activity

**CREATE AND SEND A LETTER TO CONGRESS

(30 Points)

Follows the Guidelines according to AACN and creates an original letter to a chosen congressman in nurse’s district regarding the Affordable Care Act.

Faxes, Emails, or Mails Letter to Addressee. Remarks brief & concise. Thank the member if notable.

Follows the Guidelines according to AACN and creates an original letter to chosen congressman which does not define nurse’s political view of the Affordable Care Act but covers another issue. Faxes, Emails, or Mails letter to Chosen Congressman.

Follows the Guidelines according to AACN and creates an original letter to chosen congressmen. Nurse’s view of the Affordable care act is not brief and concise, well defined or clear. Nurse does not fax, email or mail letter to Chosen Congressman.

Does not follow the guidelines of AACN, and letter created is one which is electronically generated or copied from a source.

Writing is polished and free of mechanical errors. APA formatting is used correctly.

Writing has minor errors or minor APA formatting errors that do not interfere with understanding.

Writing has minor errors or minor APA formatting errors that interfere with understanding.

Writing has major mechanical errors or major APA formatting errors that interfere with understanding.