short paper

Short Writing Assignment #3: Topic Summary

The Topic Summary has to have a viable policy problem targeted to the appropriate level of government with the authority to decide on policy solutions. You need to identify who the stakeholders are (people the policy touches) and define the policy problem in a way that whatever governmental action eventually proposed as a solution will change public health outcomes. Figure out who the actual decision maker is; you must be specific and actually name a government representative (Senator, Congressman, State Representative, City Councilman, etc.) or you may list a specific government committee. You need to figure out who has the decisional authority and how to engage them. Decision makers are the ultimate audience, so you need to think about your  purpose and the DECISION MAKER audience. You must figure out who is the actual decision maker that has the authority to postulate a policy solution for the problem. This is the beginning of writing  a policy brief (The topic summary would eventually become the executive summary for the actual brief). DO NOT RECOMMEND SOLUTIONS, just present the major alternatives. SEE BELOW for Directions.

FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS (INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POINTS) A topic summary is a ONE PAGE SUMMARY (just that-1 page with 1 inch margins and 12 point font—no smaller). Do this on 1 page including the title. DO NOT SUBMIT A COVER SHEET. Do not put my name on it... Do this like is is real world going to decision makers.

Address the Decision Maker(s) in the Title of the Topic Summary   (Keep in mind that who the audience the brief is intended to reach is of critical importance. Decide who has the power to have the government act that is the audience for your brief (i.e. Be Specific!)

1) Clearly identify/state the health problem translated into a policy problem. That means you  talk about the policy problem  (not the health problem)   in 1 paragraph in lay language (i.e. in a way that anyone not in healthcare can easily understand).

2) Clearly identify/ state the significance of the problem  in 1-2 paragraphs in lay language. You should use numbers (costs, savings, benefits, ROI, budget line items). You need to talk about what has previously been done in THE POLICY REALM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. This is not a place for healthcare stats.  What previous policy work has been done and why was the problem not solved .

3) Clearly define/identify/ discuss the the important relevant issues as to  WHY THE DECISION MAKERS SHOULD CARE ABOUT THE POLICY PROBLEM  and the stakeholders the problem affects in 1 paragraphs. 

4) Either in a short paragraph or bullet points  mention the policy alternative solutions .

(If you follow this format you should end up with a topic summary that makes sense and covers the important policy relevant material)