Deck 12: Advocating for Health Policy

Question 1

______________ are experts in gathering data; assessing individual and community needs; consensus building; and in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs.

A) Change endeavors
B) Legislative lunch buddies
C) Policymakers
D) Program planners
E) Both B and D

Answer 1

C

Question 2

This process, known as _________________ , involves making contact with a policymaker or legislator to discuss a social or economic problem on behalf of a particular interest group or population, as long as no specific bill number is mentioned.

A) Lobbying
B) Legislative advocacy
C) Schmoozing
D) Environmental change activist
E) Campaigner

Answer 2

B

Question 3

_____________ are implemented without government direction.

A) Voluntary policies
B) County laws
C) New age practices
D) Local ordinances

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Senators and representatives at the federal level pass bills that are then signed into _____________ by the president.

A) Policies
B) State laws
C) Federal laws
D) Local ordinances

Question 5

Members from each house form a _____________________ and meet to work out the differences. This is usually made up of senior members who are appointed by the presiding officers of the committee that originally dealt with the bill.

A) Senate
B) Legislation
C) House
D) Conference committee
E) None of the above

Question 6

Policymakers are the elected officials who enact all of the following except:

A) Policy
B) Laws
C) Ordinances
D) Supreme Court decisions
E) Both A and D

Question 7

Legislative advocacy strategies include which of the following?

A) Legislative alerts
B) Instituting letter-writing, email, and telephone campaigns
C) Meeting with legislators
D) Testifying at hearing
E) All of the above

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a technique suggested for developing effective testimony?

A) Prepare a written statement in advance
B) Use personal experiences to enhance testimony
C) Utilize overly emotional and inflammatory words to stir emotions
D) Use sound bites
E) Observe members of the committee

Question 9

With an understanding of ______________, health education specialists can use their unique skills to help assess the needs of the community to determine key issues and motivate community members to action.

A) Advocacy
B) Media blasts
C) Public policy
D) Lobbying
E) None of the above

Question 10

Practitioners can be involved in the legislative process in many ways not only to influence the kind and amount of resources allocated for health education programs, but also to affect the larger policy framework that defines public health.

Question 11

Direct lobbying is defined as communicating about specific legislation with a legislator or communicating a specific position on that legislation. In other words, asking a legislator to support (or veto) a specific bill.

Question 12

If allowed to lobby, identifying bipartisan sponsors (sponsors from each political party) can decrease the likelihood a bill will gain broad support.

Question 13

If the bill is a budget bill or has fiscal implications, it will be referred directly to the Appropriations Committee or to an appropriate standing committee, and then to the Appropriations Committee.

Question 14

If the bill is defeated, it goes to the other house where the same procedure is followed. If the bill is passed in the same form by both houses, it is ordered "undone" in the house in which it originated. It then goes to the governor for his or her signature.

Question 15

Forming a group to advocate for or against an issue can be more effective than an individual voice because the group can share responsibilities and complete more tasks.

Question 16

When directed to the staff and legislative aides of those elected and appointed, officials can be demeaning since the legislator does not think it is important enough to talk with you.

Question 17

The GovTrack site can be used to get automatic alerts on the status of bills at the federal level. This site provides information on legislation, committees, votes, members of Congress, and will send alerts on the status of the bills being tracked.

Question 18

A letter-writing campaign can only begin 1 to 2 years in advance of the issue that has been introduced as a bill. A sample letter to legislators should include exactly what the letter should state without any additions or deletions.

Question 19

Share why building a relationship with legislators is important and how you would go about it.

Question 20

Explain what is a grassroots movement and how would you go about accomplishing one.