The North Dakota Process Debbie Swanson North Dakota Public Health Association American Public Health Association Annual Meeting October 28, 2012

North Dakota Legislature Citizen legislature Meets for 80 days, every two years ND residents have easy access to legislators Every bill receives a committee hearing

Advocacy Training North Dakota Public Health Association Sponsors “Public Health Day at the Legislature” Local Health Departments formed ND State Association of City and County Health Officials (ND SACCHO) Organizations collaborated to sponsor advocacy training prior to the legislative session

Training Topics How a bill becomes a law in North Dakota Political process and players Advocacy vs. lobbying Successful advocacy strategies Developing relationships with legislators NDPHA and SACCHO policy positions

Public Health Day at the Legislature Opportunity for relationship building Provide information on public health topics Public health professionals encouraged to attend or testify at committee hearings Advocates have the opportunity to “shadow” legislators during the day

Advocacy in Action

Health Policy Issues State funding for local public health departments Smoke free law Tobacco tax Healthy eating and physical activity initiatives Graduated driver’s licensing Primary seat belt law

Opportunities North Dakota is projected to have a state budget surplus of $1.6 billion by July 1, 2013 Opportunities for significant public sector investment in public health to address growing burden of chronic disease and health disparity Strengthen and broaden partnerships to achieve public health goals

Challenges Public health will need to significantly increase visibility and advocacy efforts with few resources Reluctance by policy makers to implement provisions in the Affordable Care Act Per capita income has increased at the same time as an increasing rate of poverty Significant needs for infrastructure improvements, housing, education, and all other sectors due to oil impact in western counties

What will the future of public health look like in North Dakota with increased advocacy?

Debbie Swanson North Dakota Public Health Association