DNP 820 Health Policy and Advocacy

Module 7 Discussion

DQ1 Pick five advocacy actions from the text. Apply them to a health policy issue by briefly describing how you would use these advocacy actions to shape your chosen issue.

DQ2 Reflect on whether health policy is something that happens to you or something you can shape. If it is something that happens to you how could you reconceptulize your role into a health policy shaper?

 

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Healthcare advocacy actions

Introduction

Healthcare advocacy is about more than just voting. It’s about staying informed and educating yourself on the issues, as well as helping others do the same. Healthcare advocacy actions will help you take charge of your health care in order to ensure that you receive the best care possible when it matters most: when you need it most!

Vote in all elections.

• Vote in all elections. While it’s true that you may not like the candidates or party, voting is a civic responsibility and an act of self-expression that can have a positive impact on your community and society as a whole.

• Vote in local, state, and national elections. Even if you live in a small town where everyone knows each other (and this definitely applies to me), don’t think that your vote doesn’t count—it does! And if you’re living overseas for example… well then maybe this isn’t so much about yourself but about putting pressure on politicians who take advantage of others’ lack of knowledge about how government works outside America’s borders?

Stay informed by reading credible sources.

• Read newspapers and magazines.

• Read blogs, especially those that are written by healthcare professionals.

• Watch TV news programs.

• Watch YouTube videos related to healthcare advocacy, such as the Healthcare Advocate Network’s “How To Advocate” series or Health Care For America Now’s “Five Steps To A Successful Advocacy Campaign.”

Participate in public hearings and events.

Participate in public hearings and events. Public hearings are an important way to get your voice heard, especially if you have a lot of concerns or questions about the potential effects of an issue on your community or health. You can attend these meetings online via video conference or in person at the venue where they’re held (if possible). If you don’t live near the place where these types of events are being held, try contacting local organizations who might be able to help facilitate connections with people from other places so that they can make it easier for those attending not only participate but also continue moving forward with their advocacy efforts after leaving those meetings!

Volunteer to help in national, state or local campaigns.

Volunteering to help in national, state or local campaigns is an excellent way to make a difference in the life of your community. You’ll be able to meet new people who are passionate about healthcare issues and learn about what they’re doing to improve the system.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas:

• Find out what’s happening in your community by using resources like [the [website]] (https://www.healthcarereformnow.org) or [the [[website](https://www.healthcarereformnow/]]). These websites have lots of information on how people can get involved with local campaigns around healthcare reform issues like keeping insurance affordable for those who need it most and making sure that everyone has access at all times (not just when they go into hospital). They also provide practical advice about how best practice should be done within each state; for example if someone lives near an area with high rates of cancer then perhaps volunteering at a cancer charity organization might be worthwhile as well as volunteering at their local hospital!

Write or call your elected representatives.

If you’re interested in getting involved with healthcare advocacy, there are a few things that can help. First, write or call your elected representatives. Whether it’s a member of Congress or an elected official in your state, they are the people who make decisions about health care policy and legislation.

If you’re not sure how to go about finding out what their position is on specific issues like Medicare for All (M4A), please see our page on contacting legislators for more information.

Second, share your story! The more people who participate in M4A activism together here at Healthcare-NOW!, the better chance we have of making a difference–so if you’ve been affected by any kind of healthcare injustice or inequality anywhere along the course of your life so far then please share those experiences with us here on our website so we can all work together towards change together!

Learn about the issues and educate others.

If you want to learn about the issues and educate others, there’s no better way than to read up on them. Find a book that educates you and your family members on healthcare advocacy. You can also visit websites like Healthcare-Advocacy.org or Healthcare-Advocacy-Network.org for more information and resources.

Talk with your family and friends.

• Talk about the issues.

• Get your family and friends involved.

• Get them to vote!

Healthcare advocacy starts with you.

It is up to you to take action. You have the right to make your voice heard, and the healthcare system needs your help.

• Know your rights: Learn more about what is covered under Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other programs that may be available through insurance providers. If you have questions about these things or would like more information on how they work, call your local Medicare office or visit their website for assistance.

• Get involved with a group working on healthcare issues: Contact local organizations that are dedicated to addressing problems within the medical industry (for example, doctors who don’t comply with federal regulations). You can also join an organization like Doctors Without Borders if you want someone else’s perspective on how things should change in our country—and maybe even get yourself out there! They’ve got great resources online if this sounds interesting at all times over here [link].

Conclusion

We hope that these tips will help you get started on your healthcare advocacy journey. By taking action, speaking up, and educating others about the issues facing our health care system, we can all make a difference in the lives of others who need access to good quality care. We’re going to do everything we can to build an even stronger movement for change!