letter

In this exercise, you will write a two-page professional style letter to your state or federal representative about a current health care issue being discussed in the United States. View Healthy People 2020 – Topic Areas at a Glance on the CDC website. You will select a topic from the list provided.

Step 1: Identify One of Your Representatives

For representatives at the national level, you can find the name and address of the legislators that represent you at the following:

• U.S. House of Representatives.
• U.S. Senate.

To identify the names and contact information of state and local representatives, visit Common Cause and put in your address.

Step 2: Research Where Your Representative Stands

After choosing your topic and representative, research where your representative stands on your chosen health care issue as well as where the medical profession (professional organizations, practicing medical professionals, patients, and other advocates) stands on the issue.

Use GovTrack.us to look for your chosen representative and do some digging on their position on the topic.

To research where the medical profession stands, you may want to look at the following websites in addition to searching the Strayer Library for publications from specific medical professional groups on the topic.

• HHS.gov.
• Healthy People 2020 – Topic Areas at a Glance.
• World Health Organization.

Step 3: Write the Letter

Once you have identified both your topic from Healthy People 2020 and the representative you will write your letter. Keep in mind this is a business letter and will require specific formatting. You will need to be sure you have the name, date, and address of the representative at the top of the page and include your name and address at the close.

• Take a look a look at some of these sample letters for reference:
  • Write a Letter to Your Legislator.
  • Sample Letter to Legislator.
  • Template Letter to a Legislator [PDF]
  • Sample Letter to Legislators Issue: Nurse Workforce Development Programs (Title VIII).

In the contents of your letter, please include the following:

1. Identify a health care issue that is currently being discussed at the state or national level.
2. Summarize your representative’s position on your selected health care issue.
3. Explain why you agree or disagree with your representative’s position.
4. Include data and evidence to align your position from the CDC’s Healthy People 2020 – Topic Areas at a Glance and/or other government agencies.
5. Include a title and reference page; these two items should not be included in your total page count. Use two sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Determine if a representative’s position on a health care issue is aligned with personal and current Healthy People goals.