Advocacy for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Fran C. WheelerChronic Disease Directorswheeler@chronicdisease.org

Topics for Discussion

Overview of Legislative Process Influencing Appropriations Basic Rules for Advocacy A Call to Action

How a Bill Becomes Law Bill Introduction Subcommittee Action Committee Action Floor Action Conference Committee Presidential Action

Traditional Committees for Public Health Advocacy

HOUSE Energy &

Commerce Health

Appropriations Labor, HHS, Ed

SENATE Health, Education,

Labor & Pensions Public Health

Appropriations Labor, HHS, Ed

Other Committees for HDSP Advocacy Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Armed Forces Budget Commerce, Science & Transportation Energy & Natural Resources Environment and Public Works Veterans’ Affairs

Funding for HDSP Initiatives

Budget Formulation President’s Budget Congressional Budget Legislative Appropriations

Budget Formulation June – November

Agency (CDC) Department (DHHS) Office of Management & Budget

(OMB)

President’s Budget First Monday in February

State of the Union Address Budget request to Congress

Congressional Budget April 15 Budget resolution

Framework for total spending, based on revenue

Mandatory vs. discretionary Allocations to Appropriations

Committee 13 subcommittees

Legislative 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

Appropriations Process: Points of Influence Budget Formulation

Agency, Department, OMB Congressional Budget

House & Senate Committees Legislative Appropriations

Full Committees House & Senate Subcommittees

House 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

Senate SubcommitteeLabor-HHS-Ed Appropriations

Tom Harkin, IA Daniel Inouye, HI Herb Kohl, WI Patty Murray, WA Mary Landrieu, LA Dick Durbin, IL Jack Reed, RI Frank Lautenberg, NJ

Arlen Specter, PA Thad Cochran, MS Judd Gregg, NH Larry Craig, ID Kay B Hutchison,

TX Ted Stevens, AK Richard Shelby, AL

What 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.

Basic 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.

Advocates have clear agenda Specific focus not “single-issue” Know what will sell Know what the hierarchy wants Written agenda: explicit Consensus agenda: no fighting

Advocates use science Know the science base Know where can make a difference Use and protect your credibility Be honest, don’t oversell Take the high ground

Advocates are articulate No jargon Make it fit one page Know your audience Know your opposition Don’t criticize others Washington Post rule

Advocates are opportunistic Learn the process Take advantage of opportunities –

hearings, briefings, trips to DC, recess

Collaboration – bigger impact Coordination – traffic control Repetition

What can YOU do? Learn your workplace rules Act as an individual Act as member of an organization Act!

Workplace Rules First Amendment rights Personal views Personal time No use of state or federal funds Agency policy

Action Items

Seven easy pieces …

Get Informed Who are your Members? What are their interests? What committees, subcommittees? What coalitions, caucuses Family health issues Hometown connections

Write a letter Keep it short, single issue Identify yourself – constituent,

public health professional Be accurate Tell why important, impact State desired action Thanks, praise

Make 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

Make 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

Be a resource to staff Establish relationship State or local data Rankings, comparisons, maps Human interest stories State, local publications Research articles

Invite 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

Join a coalition or voluntary health organization

Make your voice louder Get updates Get action alerts Work together

Where 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/dhdsp

Where 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

Summary We can’t 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

Do something!

Democracy is not a spectator sport.