Write a letter to the editor of your local paper regarding an aspect of a legislative bill or a health-related issue, or Write a letter regarding a health issue of concern to a regulatory body.

Write a letter to the editor of your local paper regarding an aspect of a legislative bill or a health-related issue, or
Write a letter regarding a health issue of concern to a regulatory body.

Advocacy Project: DUE DATE 9/24/2018

Advocacy letter writing exercise

To provide an opportunity to advocate for health concerns, each student will complete one of the following activities:

Write a letter to a legislator regarding a bill or issue that was considered or will be considered in upcoming legislature, or
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper regarding an aspect of a legislative bill or a health-related issue, or
Write a letter regarding a health issue of concern to a regulatory body.
Remember a few important points:

Write this paper as if you intend for the person to read it.In fact, upon approval (once any edits are made), I encourage you to submit your letter via e-mail or mail to the intended party!Remember, however, you are representing yourself.
The reader probably has little to no knowledge of the subject matter/language you are presenting (they are most likely not nurses, doctors, or even aware of the healthcare field as in-depth as you are).So, explain your viewpoints and arguments as such.
Be persuasive, but not demanding (be professionals!).
Personal stories (obviously without violating HIPAA) can be highly persuasive and people tend to remember the ‘personal touches’ during considerations.They have a greater impact.
Remember to cite factual statements as you would in a scholarly paper.Include References as an “Enclosure” (see sample letters in Syllabus section).You don’t ever want it to appear as if you’re just making up facts/figures!Remember, legislators have staff people whose job is to check those fact and figures and you lose credibility if you make up statistical results.