How Can You Change Public Policy?
Karen Kemmis, PT, DPT, MS, GCS, CDE, CEEAA, FAADE, author of this article, and Jill Sabin Garner, BA, MS, BSN, RN, CDE recently attended AADE’s Public Policy Forum. There were about 60 educators in attendance including Grassroots Leaders from many of the other State’s Coordinating Bodies. They received great information about the current state of affairs (which are changing every day), issues that affect diabetes educators and people with diabetes, and how to impact policy. Karen thinks this is an area that most of us are unfamiliar and uncomfortable with. But, she believes the attendees were able to gain so much information that, within 1 ½ days, they were all comfortable with what to do.
The theme of the forum was “A Local Approach with a Maximum Impact.” Karen wants to focus on a presentation which she thinks provided information on how to create policy change most quickly and effectively. The presenter was the Honorable Julie Hamos, a public interest attorney and an advocate, who has an extensive biography including her current position as a consultant for public policy and her past positions as an elected State Representative and director of a state healthcare agency.
Ms. Hamos described how we can create change by focusing at the state level rather than the national level. It may take hundreds or thousands of contacts and visits to try to affect national policy but we can influence change at the state level with many fewer contacts, as few as 10 or 20!
Some key points from the presentation include:
- State government touches people’s lives.
- Relationships are key. (Get to know your representatives.)
- Legislators care about getting re-elected (i.e., their constituents-you!).
- Diabetes is a serious, costly and potentially deadly disease.
- Policy-makers might not understand the benefits of diabetes self-management and pre-diabetes/prevention.
- Advocacy skills are common sense.
- You really can impact state policy!
The do’s and don’ts of effective advocacy:
- Do develop a game plan (evidence of the problem, know your “ask” and have a strategy).
- Don’t underestimate the power of antedotes and human interest stories.
- Do master the art of the one-page fact sheet (AADE Advocacy can help create a fact sheet for your district).
- Do memorize a short “elevator speech.” (We practiced this with a former legislator during the forum. It was actually fun!)
- Do cultivate a legislative champion(s).
- Do mobilize coalition and grassroots supporters (colleagues, patients, family, neighbors…).
- Don’t waste a lot of time and money on mass emails and on-line petitions; personal contacts of constituents are key.
- Do use the media to focus public debate and generate interest.
- Do get ready to compromise. We might not always get quite what we are asking for…but we might get something that heads us in the right direction.
- Do state the other side’s position fairly and completely. Don’t lie!
- Don’t make political predictions or threats.
- Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers on the spot but follow through.
- Do have fun doing this. You will feel powerful and effective when you change policy! Many states have a Diabetes Action Plan (DAP). New York State does not! A DAP is a vehicle which helps to ensure that state legislators and state policy makers are thinking strategically about diabetes. Is this something we want to push for in NYS? Let’s work together to change policy for our profession and people with diabetes!
Today, with it being Memorial Day, we remember and honor our fallen veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families remaining.
Thank you for all you do,
Marie Schongar, MS, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDE
AMC Department of Endocrinology, Faculty
Chair-NYS Coordinating Body for the
American Association of Diabetes Educators