JCON 745HP Health Policy and Legislation

Credits: 8
The purpose of the Health Policy and Legislation continuity elective is for students to gain experience and proficiency in policy making at the state legislative level. The focus of the healthcare policies include: social determinants of health, healthcare for the incarcerated and other vulnerable populations, equitable access, and maintaining a sustainable healthcare workforce. Students will work in partnership with advocacy organizations and legislative offices. Students will draft policy and present to legislative committees. Students will experience the legislative process firsthand, working directly in legislator offices and with community-based advocacy groups to pass specific policies related to the healthcare system and social justice. Students will be an important part of the team. They will attend strategy planning and lobby meetings, town halls, committee hearings, and floor sessions in the House and the Senate. They will work directly on critical legislation that impacts healthcare and social justice - doing research, writing testimony, prepping legislators, and offering their perspectives to the political process. Students will learn how they can leverage their medical and public health expertise to influence the political process by helping to make better laws that more effectively address the needs of Oregonians. Students will learn how to research the specific issues and to communicate them effectively via written briefs and white papers, oral testimony, and discussions with the legislative teams and advocates.

Graded: Pass/No pass
May be taken only once for credit