Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.
Part 1: Legislation Grid
Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:
Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?
Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:
Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
Explain how the social determinants of income, age, education, or gender affect this legislation.
Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Legislation Grid: Health-Related Bill Analysis
Legislative Intent
Bill: H.R. 987 – Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act
Intent: The bill aims to address rising healthcare costs and make prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans by implementing various measures such as expanding access to generic drugs and improving transparency in drug pricing.
Proponents/Opponents
Proponents: Healthcare advocacy groups, consumer organizations, and Democrats who support affordable healthcare initiatives.
Opponents: Pharmaceutical companies, some Republicans who may argue against government intervention in drug pricing.
Target Populations
The bill targets populations who struggle with high prescription drug costs, including low-income individuals, seniors on fixed incomes, and those with chronic health conditions requiring costly medications.
Current Status
The bill H.R. 987 is currently in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, where it is undergoing hearings and discussions to evaluate its provisions and potential impact on the healthcare system.
Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement
Advocating Position
As a healthcare advocate, I strongly support H.R. 987 – Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act. This legislation is crucial in addressing the exorbitant costs of prescription drugs that burden millions of Americans, especially vulnerable populations who struggle to afford essential medications for their health conditions. By expanding access to generic drugs and promoting transparency in drug pricing, this bill will significantly alleviate the financial burden on patients and improve healthcare affordability for all.
Social Determinants Impact
The social determinants of income, age, education, and gender play a significant role in influencing the effectiveness of this legislation. Low-income individuals are disproportionately affected by high drug costs, often having to choose between medication and other basic needs. Seniors, due to fixed incomes and increased healthcare needs, face challenges in affording their prescriptions. Education levels can determine individuals’ awareness of drug pricing options and rights as consumers. Gender disparities in income can further exacerbate the impact of high drug costs on women’s health and well-being.
Addressing Opponents
To address opponents of the bill, such as pharmaceutical companies and those concerned about government intervention, it is essential to emphasize the bill’s focus on promoting competition, transparency, and affordability in the healthcare market. Engaging in dialogue to highlight how the legislation benefits patients and ensures fair pricing practices can help alleviate concerns. Providing examples of successful drug cost reduction strategies implemented in other countries can also demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of such measures.
By advocating for H.R. 987 and emphasizing its potential to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for all Americans, we can work towards a more equitable healthcare system that prioritizes patient well-being over profits.
