Health Policy Brief

N503_Policy, Advocacy, and Healthcare Ethics Dr. Dawn Deem. Assignment 1 Submission Health Policy Brief Part I Due Thursday 5/28/2026 Introduction This assignment is one of three papers that will be developed throughout the Policy, Advocacy, and Healthcare Ethics course. The purpose of this assignment is to draft a health policy brief for stakeholders and community members. You will identify a relevant health-related issue impacting populations and/or communities in the United States that has legislative and policy implications at the state and/or national level. The assignment is not about identifying a policy or procedure at your place of employment but rather identifying a systematic healthcare concern that has legislative and policy implications at least at the state level. Students cannot use Full Practice Authority (FPA) or scope of practice issues for the course assignments. Resources Sample issues may be identified in your state legislative website, board of nursing website, or national association website. You may also consider discussing healthcare issues that impact our locality with your state and local legislative representatives. Your textbook addresses systematic issues such as smoking during pregnancy, medical cannabis use, and patient safety outcomes, to name a few. Prior to beginning to work on this project, please view the 18:36 minute video developed by the Women’s and Children’s Health Policy Center titled, The Art and Craft of Policy Briefs: Translating Science and Engaging Stakeholders, which will provide you with an understanding on the development of a policy brief. Instructions For the first part of this three-paper assignment, please use the following guidelines and criteria. Also, please refer to the rubric for point allocation and assignment expectations. The expected length of the paper is a minimum of 5 pages, which does not include the cover page and reference page(s). I. Introduction (including purpose statement) II. Identify and describe a specific and relevant healthcare issue  Please identify an issue that has state and/or national legislative implications  Describe the healthcare issue with the support of research studies, bills that have been introduced to the legislature, national association position statements, and reliable electronic health-related sources (i.e. Institute of Medicine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Include information on the demographic impacted by the issue, adverse health/clinical outcomes, and prevalence.  Describe the potential global impact that your chosen issue may have. III. Identify potential stakeholders and/or constituents who may support your health policy brief. For example, you may address the individuals, communities, and/or populations who may be impacted by the issue.  Discuss how the stakeholders cultural and religious beliefs may impact their support on your health policy. IV. Identify at least one specific piece of legislation (bill) that is pending on your healthcare issue. Also, please identify if this piece of legislation is sponsored by the state or at the national level. Many times, bills are supported by national organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. If your state legislature is not proposing a bill on your specific topic, you may identify a bill from another state for this paper. Make sure that you provide in-text citations and reference the document. V. Draft a plan for your Health Policy Brief, which may capitalize from an existing health campaign and/or proposed bill. Include at least two objectives that you hope to achieve. The plan should seek to create a new policy or change an existing policy at the state and/or national level. The plan should be described in no more than 2 paragraphs. VI. Conclusion Additional Guidelines In addition to following APA format, please use the following as a guide: • Include a cover page (this is not part of the page limit) • Include transitions in your paper (i.e. headings or subheadings) • Use in-text references throughout the paper • Use double space, 12-point Times New Roman font • Apply appropriate spelling, grammar, and organization • Include a reference list (this is not part of the page limit) • Attempt to use primary sources only. That said, you may cite reliable electronic sources (i.e. NCSBN, AANP) Assignment 1 Grading Rubric Assignment 1 – N503 – Health Policy Brief Part I Competency Mastery 100% Proficient 90% Acceptable 83% Basic 70% Deficient – Mastery Not Met 0% Critiques a specific and relevant healthcare issue having state and/or national legislative implications (16%) Critiques a specific and relevant healthcare issue having state and/or national legislative implications Documents a specific and relevant healthcare issue having state and/or national legislative implications Applies a specific and relevant healthcare issue having state and/or national legislative implications Names a specific and relevant healthcare issue having state and/or national legislative implications Does not address Appraises the stakeholders who may support health policy brief and impact of cultural/religious beliefs on support of health policy brief (16%) Appraises the stakeholders who may support health policy brief and impact of cultural/religious beliefs on support of health policy brief Classifies the stakeholders who may support health policy brief and impact of cultural/religious beliefs on support of health policy brief Reviews the stakeholders who may support health policy brief and impact of cultural/religious beliefs on support of health policy brief States the stakeholders who may support health policy brief and impact of cultural/religious beliefs on support of health policy brief Does not address Outlines at least one specific piece of legislation pending on the healthcare issue and if legislation is sponsored (16%) Outlines at least one specific piece of legislation pending on the healthcare issue and if legislation is sponsored Identifies at least one specific piece of legislation pending on the healthcare issue and if legislation is sponsored Classifies at least one specific piece of legislation pending on the healthcare issue and if legislation is sponsored Labels at least one specific piece of legislation pending on the healthcare issue and if legislation is sponsored Does not address Create a health policy brief plan (16%) Create a health policy brief plan Applies a health policy brief plan Names a health policy brief plan Lists a health policy brief plan Does not address Compiles 2 objectives for the health policy brief (16%) Compiles2 objectives for the health policy brief Documents2 objectives for the health policy brief Classifies 2 objectives for the health policy brief Selects 2 objectives for the health policy brief Does not address Four scholarly resources are utilized References cited appropriately and are not older than acceptable nursing program standards, unless they are considered seminal works References are from pertinent peer reviewed articles, journals or appropriate textbooks Web- references have authors, dates and can easily be accessed with the URL provided Unreliable references are avoided (e.g. Wikipedia) (5%) Four scholarly resources are utilized All criteria were met. Three scholarly resources are utilized AND/OR One of the 4 cited criteria was violated Two resources for scholarly evidence are utilized. AND/OR Two of the 4 cited criteria were violated. One scholarly resource(s) used AND/OR Three of the cited criteria were violated No scholarly resources referenced. AND/OR Four cited criteria were violated. APA, Grammar, spelling, and punctuation (15%) No errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation One to three errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation Four to six errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Seven or eight errors in APA, spelling, and punctuation The submission does not meet format guidelines Nine or more errors in APA, Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation. The submission does not meet format guidelines Assignment 2 Submission Health Policy Brief Part II Due Thursday 6/11/2026 Introduction This assignment is a continuation of the first part of the Health Policy Brief you developed in Module 2. In the second paper, you will identify and compare at least two health campaigns that provide potential solutions and advocacy efforts about your health care issue. In addition, you will examine and explain if your plan could be enacted via a modification of existing law or regulation or potentially the development of a new legislation. Lastly, discuss the methods you would use to influence legislators to support your plan, including how you would address opposition to your plan. Be sure to include a section on the utilization of social media campaigns in your policy brief. Instructions Please use the following guidelines and criteria for this assignment. Also, please refer to the rubric for point allocation and assignment expectations. The expected length of the paper is approximately a five-page minimum, which does not include the cover page and reference page(s). I. Introduction (including purpose statement) II. Identify and compare at least two health campaigns that addresses solutions, interventions, and advocacy efforts about your health campaign. If you are unable to identify a second health campaign, you may reference a proposed bill and discuss implications. Also, you may discuss the demographics that are positively or negatively impacted, the costs of different options, funding mechanisms, etc. III. Examine and explain if the plan you drafted in paper I could be enacted via a modification of existing law or regulation OR potentially the development of a new legislation. If you are proposing to modify existing laws or regulations, make sure to include in-text citations as well as referencing the source. If you are proposing the development of new legislation, what should be included in the bill? Be specific and cogent. IV. Discuss the methods you would use to influence legislators to support your plan. Describe how you could utilize a social media campaign to support your overall plan. Also, discuss how you would address the opposition. For instance, one of the disadvantages of your plan is that it may be too expensive to implement. That said, you may acknowledge that but also you may explain why it is worth the investment. If so, make sure to list your reasons. V. Conclusion Additional Guidelines: In addition to following APA format, please use the following as a guide: • Include a cover page and running head (this is not part of the page limit) • Include transitions in your paper (i.e. headings or subheadings) • Use in-text references throughout the paper • Use double space, 12-point Times New Roman font • Apply appropriate spelling, grammar, and organization • Include a reference list (this is not part of the page limit) • Attempt to use primary sources only. That said, you may cite reliable electronic sources (i.e. NCSBN, AANP) Assignment 2 Grading Rubric Assignment 2 – N503 – Health Policy Brief Part II Competency Mastery 100% Proficient 90% Acceptable 83% Basic 70% Deficient – Mastery Not Met 0% Compare at least 2 health campaigns (16%) Compare at least 2 health campaigns Discuss at least 2 health campaigns Names at least 2 health campaigns Lists at least 2 health campaigns Does not address Examine demographics involved, costs of options/plans, funding, etc. (16%) Examine demographics involved, costs of options/plans, funding, etc. Discuss demographics involved, costs of options/plans, funding, etc. States demographics involved, costs of options/plans, funding, etc. Lists demographics involved, costs of options/plans, funding, etc. Does not address Examines if plan drafted in assignment 1 could be enacted with modification or if potential for new legislation (16%) Examines if plan drafted in assignment 1 could be enacted with modification or if potential for new legislation Diagrams if plan drafted in assignment 1 could be enacted with modification or if potential for new legislation Reviews if plan drafted in assignment 1 could be enacted with modification or if potential for new legislation Infers if plan drafted in assignment 1 could be enacted with modification or if potential for new legislation Does not address Discuss methods to influence legislators to support plan and how to address any opposition (16%) Discuss methods to influence legislators to support plan and how to address any opposition Reviews methods to influence legislators to support plan and how to address any opposition Names methods to influence legislators to support plan and how to address any opposition Lists methods to influence legislators to support plan and how to address any opposition Does not address Explores how to use social media to support overall plan (16%) Explores how to use social media to support overall plan Discusses how to use social media to support overall plan Names how to use social media to support overall plan Labels how to use social media to support overall plan Does not address Four scholarly resources are utilized References cited appropriately and are not older than acceptable nursing program standards, unless they are considered seminal works References are from pertinent peer reviewed articles, journals or appropriate textbooks Web- references have authors, dates and can easily be accessed with the URL provided Unreliable references are avoided (e.g. Wikipedia) (5%) Four scholarly resources are utilized All criteria were met. Three scholarly resources are utilized AND/OR One of the 4 cited criteria was violated Two resources for scholarly evidence are utilized. AND/OR Two of the 4 cited criteria were violated. One scholarly resource(s) used AND/OR Three of the cited criteria were violated No scholarly resources referenced. AND/OR Four cited criteria were violated. APA, Grammar, spelling, and punctuation (15%) No errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation One to three errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation Four to six errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Seven or eight errors in APA, spelling, and punctuation Nine or more errors in APA, Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation. The submission does not meet format guidelines Assignment 3 Submission Health Policy Brief Part III Due Thursday 7/2/2026 Introduction This assignment is a continuation and synthesis of parts I and II of the Health Policy Brief you developed in Modules 2 and 4. In this assignment, you will put together your information in a 2-3 page (maximum) issue brief. In other words, this Health Policy Brief will summarize and synthesize all the key points you drafted in papers I and II. This is an opportunity for you to share your findings and objective data to legislators and stakeholders in a succinct and cogent manner. A few examples on policy briefs are provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the NACCHO. Instructions Please use the following guidelines and criteria for this assignment. Also, please refer to the rubric for point allocation and assignment expectations. The expected length of the policy brief is approximately 2-3 pages, which does not include the cover page and reference page(s). I. This policy brief is not to be presented as an academic paper. In other words, the document is intended for you to share your findings and objective data to legislators and appropriate stakeholders. That said, please include a cover page and reference page, which will help faculty identify the author and references used for the final product. II. This policy brief will summarize and synthesize all the key points you drafted in papers I and II. There should be limited additional research needed to complete this brief. That said, this is an opportunity for you to translate your first two academic papers into a succinct and cogent brief. III. Well written briefs have included the following elements (you may use these as headings): • What is the aim of the policy brief? • What is the best hook for the audience? • What background information does the audience need? Assignment 4 – N503 – Health Policy Brief Part III Competency Mastery 100% Proficient 90% Acceptable 83% Basic 70% Deficient – Mastery Not Met 0% Illustrates aim of the policy brief (13%) Illustrates aim of the policy brief Demonstrates aim of the policy brief Names aim of the policy brief Lists aim of the policy brief Did not address Creates a hook for the audience (13%) Creates a hook for the audience Apply a hook for the audience States a hook for the audience Lists a hook for the audience Did not address Details background information for audience (13%) Details background information for audience Apply background information for audience Reviews background information for audience Lists background information for audience Did not address Explain data for audience and how it will be conveyed (13%) Explain data for audience and how it will be conveyed Summarizes data for audience and how it will be conveyed Demonstrate data for audience and how it will be conveyed Names data for audience and how it will be conveyed Did not address Outlines the policy options (13%) Outlines the policy options Documents the policy options Reviews the policy options Lists the policy options Did not address Explains recommendations (15%) Explains recommendations Classifies recommendations States recommendations Cites recommendations Did not address Four scholarly resources are utilized References cited appropriately and are not older than acceptable nursing program standards, unless they are considered seminal works References are from pertinent peer reviewed articles, journals or appropriate textbooks Web- references have authors, dates and can easily be accessed with the URL provided Unreliable references are avoided (e.g. Wikipedia) (5%) Four scholarly resources are utilized All criteria were met. Three scholarly resources are utilized AND/OR One of the 4 cited criteria was violated Two resources for scholarly evidence are utilized. AND/OR Two of the 4 cited criteria were violated. One scholarly resource(s) used AND/OR Three of the cited criteria were violated No scholarly resources referenced. AND/OR Four cited criteria were violated. APA, Grammar, spelling, and punctuation (15%) No errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation One to three errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation Four to six errors in APA, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Seven or eight errors in APA, spelling, and punctuation The submission does not meet format guidelines Nine or more errors in APA, Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation. The submission does not meet format guidelines • • What data are most important to include for your audience? How will you convey the data to your stakeholders (i.e. combination of in-text, bar graph, etc.)? • What are the policy options? • What are your recommendations? IV. To summarize, please note that short policy briefs are useful tools to conveying research and scientific implications for policy development and implementation and clinical practice. Writing effective policy briefs requires a specific set of communication and collaboration skills. Additional Guidelines In regards to APA format, please use the following as a guide: • Include a cover page (this is not part of the 2-3 page limit) • Include transitions in your brief, as needed (i.e. headings or subheadings) • Use in-text references throughout the paper, as needed • Use single space, 12-point Times New Roman font • Apply appropriate spelling, grammar, and organization • Include a reference list (this is not part of the 2-3 page limit) • Attempt to use primary sources only. That said, you may cite reliable electronic sources (i.e. NCSBN, AANP) Assignment 3 Grading Rubric