In this unit, you will create a report of the advocate interview to complete this assignment.

If you have not done so yet, make sure to complete the media activity Vila Health: Advocate Interview (linked in the Resources) before completing this assignment. The media will walk you through the process needed for this assignment, and is critical to your success.

To successfully complete this assignment, follow steps one through three:

Step One

For step one, complete the following:

• Introduce yourself. Provide a brief explanation regarding your role as a learner at Capella University and this project as part of a course on health policy development.
• Keep the purpose of the advocate interview in mind. The interview is conducted to identify:      
  • The appropriate organization or advocate to glean information from.
  • The process used in setting the legislative agenda.
  • The strategies employed to influence the legislative development process.
  • Examples of application of the legislative process in formulating health policy.
• Ask questions. Come to the interview with your questions prepared. You may select questions from the following list. Add your own questions as needed. Prioritize your questions in case you run out of time at the interview.

Sample Interview Questions

Review these sample interview questions:

1. Who are your (or your organization’s) constituents?
2. How do you (or your organization) determine your legislative agenda? What is the process?
3. What role do your constituents have in establishing your legislative agenda?
4. What strategies do you use to market your legislative agenda to your constituents and which of those do you perceive as most effective?
5. What strategies do you use to influence legislators regarding your position on specific issues (for special interest groups only)?
6. Describe the work of your organization’s political action committee (for special interest groups only).
7. What strategies do you use to promote collaboration with special interest groups regarding your position on specific issues (for legislator designees only)?
8. Describe an example of a current or recent health care issue you (or your organization) have included in your legislative agenda. What was the outcome?
9. Have you (or your organization) included the (health policy issue your group selected) in your current legislative agenda? If yes, please describe the current status.

Step Two

For step two, complete the following:

• Analyze the process the organization used to determine its legislative agenda.
• Analyze and evaluate the strategies the organization employed to influence legislative development.
• Evaluate the organization’s use of the legislative process in formulating health policy. Propose alternatives to achieve a more efficacious legislative process.
• Analyze the methods used to engage stakeholders in the legislative agenda.
• Synthesize the interview information to support the health policy agenda.
• Identify proposed next steps. When researching health care issues, it is unlikely that one person will be able to give you all the information you need to complete a successful policy proposal. Discuss the information you received at the interview, and identify information that you may still need to support your proposal. Identify ways that you could get needed information including further research and additional interviews. Note: You are not expected to take these additional steps for completion of your project.

Step Three

For your Final Interview Report, include the following elements:

• Introduction identifying your health care policy issue.
• Summary of potential interview subjects and rationale for selecting your interviewee.
• Name of the person you interviewed, his or her professional position, and the special interest group for which he or she is being interviewed. If interviewing a legislator or designee, identify the electoral district represented.
• Questions and responses.
• Analysis and synthesis of the interview.
• Proposed next steps.

Writing Requirements

• Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA current edition style and formatting.
• Number of resources: Minimum of 2–4 resources (one must be from the Capella library).
• Page length: Minimum of 5 pages.
• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.