Advocacy Reflection Paper

There is no question that the business environment, especially the social and human
services industry, has unprecedentedly changed over the past two or three decades, with
authorities, regulators, investors, and customers now more conscious of corporate social
responsibility (CSR). This means that businesses – whether profit or nonprofit – are now being
increasingly required to produce goods or deliver services/products cost-effectively and in a
manner that sustains the environment and communities while returning value, profits, and
dividends for the investors and catering to the needs of consumers and employees (Chen et al.,
2021). Effective leadership, accountability, adaptability to feedback and metrics, systems change,
politics, and the policy process are all critical areas that 21 st -century managers must consider to
meet all these increasing and sometimes conflicting interests. The most interesting thing is that
all these concepts were addressed in this course (Public Policy, Law, and Innovation). The
purpose of this assignment is to reflect on (1) the lessons learned about leadership, politics and
the political process, and systems change, (2) ways in which I plan to influence the policy
process, and (3) ways I can contribute to the development of policies.
Lessons Learned About Leadership, Politics, the Political Process, and Systems Change
The first key takeaway from this course is that political, ethical, legal, and economic
factors/environments fundamentally influence public policy processes formulation, review,
analysis, evaluation, and funding. In other words, policy stakeholders (public opinion and
advocacy groups, stakeholder politics, courts, and lawmakers) have a huge say in the
policymaking process. These factions, individuals, and groups are involved in every step of the
policymaking process, from policy formulation to implementation. For instance, in healthcare,
nursing unions and other advocacy groups, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA),

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have traditionally played a more pronounced role in proposing policies that Congress later drafts
as bills and afterward debates in both Houses and House Committees before sending to the
President to be signed into law. Nursing unions are powerful advocacy groups that often
champion the voices of nurses, patients, or the general nursing profession. Nursing associations
and other advocacy groups have traditionally played an integral role in championing landmark
policies that improve the quality, safety, equity, and timeliness of healthcare services delivered to
patients. An excellent example is ANA’s role in improving the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Another vital insight gained in this course is the policymaking process – or the steps a bill
takes to move from being drafted and implemented or signed into law by the President.
Typically, the first step is drafting the bill; a Senator or Representative can do this. The ideas
come from Congress members, ordinary citizens, or advocacy groups. The second step is
introducing the bill in the House by the sponsor (Congress member drafting the bill). After the
bill is introduced, it goes to House or Senate committee(s) for review. Within committees, the bill
is carefully reviewed, scrutinized, and changed. Public hearings involving public officials,
experts, executives, and the bill’s critics and supporters might also be considered to determine its
implications. From the committee, the bill is sent to a subcommittee for further review, and a
report is written back to the committee for “marking up.” This involves adding changes and
amendments to the bill before recommending it to the” floor.” Once in the chamber, the bill is
further reviewed before members vote to pass or defeat the amendments. If it passes, the bill is
sent to the other chamber, which undergoes the same steps. The second chamber might reject or
approve the bill as received or make changes. Congress might also converge a “conference
committee” to reconcile or address the differences between Senate and House versions of the
bill. After being approved by both chambers, the bill is finally sent to the President to be signed

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into law; the Constitution allows the President ten days to sign it. The President can “veto” or
refuse to sign the bill (National Human Genome Research Institute, n.d.).
I have also learned that when developing policies, it is almost a requirement to ensure
they consider legal, economic, social, ethical, and political dimensions. The term “legal” means
drafting and implementing policies congruent with existing laws rather than contradicting them.
They should also be “ethically” or “morally” justifiable. In healthcare, they must foster the four
ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice (Haddad & Geiger, 2022).
Finally, I have gained a lot about “systems theory.” Systems theory is a framework that assesses
the interactions and interconnectedness between multiple elements within a system. The model
perceives “systems” as intricate entities comprised of interdependent and interrelated elements.
All systems possess six characteristics: self-regulation, wholeness, adaptability & stability,
hierarchy, openness, and flexibility
Ways in Which I plan to Influence the Policy Process and Contribute to the Development of

Policies

There is no question about my role in shaping policies that impact human service and
healthcare industries, including patient care. I plan to do so by influencing the policy process by
actively participating in lobbying and advocacy efforts. Firstly, I plan to do so individually by
emailing lawmakers, calling, or meeting them to voice my opinions or contribute to the policy
development by attending public hearings and providing expert testimonies when committees
review bills. Alternatively, I might opt to influence policies by joining professional
organizations. Besides helping members stay abreast of emerging opportunities, trends, and
issues, professional organizations are powerful institutions allowing individuals to collectively
advocate for labor rights and better outcomes for all stakeholders involved, including patients

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(Murray, 2021). Another alternative I might consider includes participating in grassroots
mobilization (organizing educational campaigns, public forums, and rallies) to create awareness
and build momentum and support around specific policies among the public and policymakers.

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References

Chen, C., Khan, A., Hongsuchon, T., Ruangkanjanases, A., Chen, Y., Sivarak, O., & Chen, S.
(2021). The role of corporate social responsibility and corporate image in times of crisis:
The mediating role of customer trust. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 18(16), 8275. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18168275
Haddad, L. M., & Geiger, R. A. (2022). Nursing ethical considerations. StatPearls [Internet].
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054
Murray, E. (2021). Nursing leadership and management for patient safety and quality care. F. A.
Davis.
National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). How a bill becomes a law.
https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/How-Bill-Becomes-Law