Exercise 1.1: Societal Problem and Societal Categories
Your Total Score: __________ (Maximum: 10 points)
A. Define the term “societal problem” by quoting directly from the Maxwell Manual.
(2 points)
Part A score: ____

Place quote: “A societal problem is when some aspect of our society, or, as we call it, “a societal
condition,” fails to meet one or more of the six goals.”
(Coplin 2007: p. 4)
B. Choose one of the following societal categories: Crime, Education, Environment, Health, Housing, Jobs and
Economic Development, or Poverty. Find, reference, and attach the first page of a newspaper article from a
print or electronic source that discusses some aspect of the societal category. Attach the first page of the article
behind the entire 1.1 exercise. In a paragraph of no more than 200 words, explain your interest in the societal
category and quote one full and relevant sentence from the article. (8 points)
Part B score: _____

Write the societal category you choose, exactly as it is stated in the Part B directions: Health

Write a paragraph of no more than 200 words explaining why you are interested in that societal
category (including newspaper article quote). Start your answer on the next line.
Healthcare is a very important social issue to me considering my interest in becoming a healthcare
professional in my later life and the New Visions healthcare-based curriculum. This is also a
highly talked-about topic covering categories such as healthcare reform, rapidly advancing
technologies, drug scandals, and many other controversial issues.
Sack, Kevin (2010) “Starting in 2014, the law will require most Americans to obtain health
insurance, while prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing
conditions.” October 7, 2010.
nytimes.com/2010/10/08/health/policy/08health.html?_r=1&ref=health_insurance_and_managed_
care. Accessed on October 9, 2010, 2:36 PM.
Exercise 1.2: Identifying Public Policy
Your Total Score: __________ (Maximum: 20 points)
A. Define the term “public policy” by quoting directly from the Maxwell Manual.
(2 points)
Part A score: _____
o Place quote:“A public policy is an actual or proposed government action intended to deal with a
given societal problem.”
(Coplin 2007: p. 6)
B. Describe and reference (using any print or electronic newspaper) a legislative, administrative, and judicial
action that relates to some aspect of your societal category. Attach the first page of each article(s) used. Articles
may be used more than once at any point during this module. If an article is used more than once, place it
behind the entire exercise where it is first used. (9 points)
Part B score: ______

Describe and reference a legislative action: On September 28, 2010, the Zadorga 9/11 Health and
Compensation Act was passed by a 268-160 House vote. The passage of a 9/11 bill, long overdue,
was praised by congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Michael McMahon.
Egeln, Harold. (2010) “Brooklyn Reps Hail 9/11 Bill’s Passage.” Brooklyn Daily Egal.
September 30, 2010.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=38471. Last Accessed
on October 9, 2010 at 3:08 PM.

Describe and reference an administrative action: Government agencies such as Medicaid and
CHIP have recently been extending health care at a lowered rate to children of middle-class
families.
Alderman, Lesley (2010). “Government health insurance for children is no longer available only
for the poorest households.” New York Times. October 8, 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/health/09patient.html?ref=health. Last Accessed on October
9, 2010 at 2:41 PM.

Describe and reference a judicial action: On September 31 of this year, a Michigan judge became
the first to declare the recent health care law constitutional. The main issue in this decision is
whether or not the US Constitution’s Commerce Clause allows Congress to require people to
purchase a commercial product such as health care.
Sack, Kevin (2010) “The central question, which may ultimately fall to the Supreme Court, is
whether the Commerce Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to require citizens
to obtain a commercial product, namely health insurance.” New York Times. October 7, 2010.
nytimes.com/2010/10/08/health/policy/08health.html?_r=1&ref=health_insurance_and_managed_
care. Accessed on October 9, 2010, 2:36 PM.
C. Describe and reference (using any print or electronic newspaper) a national, state, and local public policy that
affects your societal category. Attach the first page of the article(s) following the directions from 1.2B. (9
points)
Part C score: _______

Describe and reference a national (federal) public policy: The FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) is an organizational branch of the US Department of Health. Its main duty is to
ensure the safety and well being of the American public by regulating standards and examining
“human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products, medical devices, our
nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and products that give off radiation.”
FDA Fundamentals.www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm192695.htm. Last accessed
on October 9, 2010 at 3:20 PM.

Describe and reference a state public policy (indicate which state): The New York State DOH
makes health care for children of families with low gross incomes affordable through programs
such as Child Health Plus or Children’s Medicaid.
Health Insurance in New York State. www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm. Accessed on
October 9, 2010 at 3:27 PM.

Describe and reference a local public policy (indicate which local government): In order to protect
the water within Lewisboro, NY, the town has taken precautionary measures concerning
construction on wetlands, building codes, and pollution of water bodies and land.
Water Rules and Regulations for the Town of Lewisboro.
www.lewisborogov.com/Government/departments/receiveroftaxes/docs/Water District
Regulations.pdf. Accessed on October 9, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Exercise 1.3: Identifying Players and Stakeholders
Your Total Score: __________ (Maximum: 17 points)
A. State the major difference between a “player” and a “stakeholder” by quoting directly from How You Can
Help or the Maxwell Manual. (4 points)
Part A score_____

Place quote: “All players are stakeholders because they are affected by public policies. Players
have a stake in the policies that are made by their organizations, because these policies can affect
their power. However, not all stakeholders are players. Stakeholders do not have power over the
policies that are made by organizations.”
(Coplin 2007: p. 7)
B. Choose one of the policies you described in Exercise 1.2B or C and restate it below. Identify three different
and distinct players that may be directly influencing the policy. The player must be an individual, not a group,
and the player does not have to be mentioned in the article you used. Write a one sentence justification
explaining what makes each of them a player. No source is needed for this exercise. (7 points)
Part B score_____

Restate the Policy from Exercise 1.2B or C:
National Healthcare Reform
Player #1:
Name: John Roberts
Title: Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court
Justification: It is the job of the US Supreme Court to intemperate laws in terms of the
Constitution. Being the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Judge Roberts will essential in
the future determination of the constitutionality of healthcare reforms. i
Player #2:
Name: Max Baucus
Title: Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator (D-MT)
Justification: In order to slow the introduction of public health insurance, insurance
companies have donated millions of dollars to individual politicians. Every congressman is
assigned six lobbyists for health care. Baucus, as the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Finance, is largely influential in the debate on health care and has received roughly $1.5
million in donations. ii
Player #3:
Name: Mark McClellan
Title: Director, Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform
Justification: The Engelberg Center, devoted to acting out reforms, is the site of many
health care debates. Being the director, McClellan has openly expressed the need for
healthcare reform in the U.S.iii
C. For the policy you stated in Part B, identify three different and distinct local stakeholders who are not
players. Write a one sentence justification for each stakeholder stating why they are stakeholders and not
players for the policy you have identified. Stakeholders do not have to be mentioned in the article you used.
No source is needed for this exercise. (6 points)
Part C score______
Stakeholder #1: Jake Schechter, High School Student
Justification: Jake is a local High School Student at John Jay High School. Decisions concerning health
care reform such as insurance plan policies and available school health aid affect his life; however, his
personal opinions have no bearing on decisions made.
Stakeholder #2: Mr. Dean McCrea, unemployed, single father to a 16 year old son
Justification: As a result of his job loss, Dean McCrea receives unemployment benefits such as COBRA
health insurance for him and his son. An increase in his COBRA premiums are likely to occur
considering the uncertainty within the future health care, in which case, placing an enormous burden on
him. McCrea has no direct affect on the decisions concerning health care policy.
Stakeholder #3:Mr.Roberto Moreno, illegal immigrant, husband and father of three
Justification: Because of Mr. Moreno’s illegal status, he does not receive health insurance and cannot
vote on any health care related issues. However, there have been talks about providing some immigrants
with a form of health care, in which case, Mr. Moreno and his family may, in the near future, receive
some health coverage.
Exercise 1.4: Identifying Players
Your Total Score: _____ (Maximum: 18 points)
A. Using How You Can Help or other sources from the “Research Guide” section of the 101 web site, find a
public interest/lobby organization that seeks to influence governmental policy on your societal category, and
identify a player within the organization. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is
needed for this exercise. (4 points)
Part A score:_____

Write the exact name of the organization and its geographic location: New York Stat Nursing
Association (NYSNA)
11 Cornell Road
Latham, NY 6976

Briefly describe one of the organization’s lobby goals: NYSNA lobbies for the improvement of the
U.S. healthcare system as well as the rights and benefits of RN’s, LPN’s, and nursing students.

Write the name and title of the player you could contact:
Tina Gerardi, Chief Executive Officer
B. Using How You Can Help or other sources from the “Research Guide” section of the 101 web site, find a
nonprofit organization (other than a public interest group) that provides direct assistance or raises money to deal
with the societal category you have chosen, and identify a player within the organization. You may want to
contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (4 points)
Part B score:_____

Write the exact name of the organization and its geographic location: American Red Cross
17th and D Sts., NW
Washington D.C.

Write the name and title of the player you could contact: Gail McGovern, President and CEO

Briefly describe a specific service provided to the organization’s clients: The American Red Cross
provides disaster relief, emergency services, and health education all across the U.S.
C. Identify a governmental department (administrative) office at either the federal, state, or local level that has
a clear role in the societal category you are studying, and identify a player within the department. You may
want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (5 points)
Part C score: ___

Write the exact title of the administrative office and its geographic location: Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002

Write the name of the player in the department:
Margaret Hamburg, MD, Commissioner of the FDA

Write the e-mail address and phone number of the player:
Margaret.hamburg@fda.hhs.gov
Phone number unknown
http://directory.psc.gov/hhsdir/eeKey.asp?Key=26015
D. Identify an elected federal, state, or local government official who is a player in the societal category you are
studying. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (5
points)
Part D score: ____

Write the exact title of the elected office: Senator (D-NY)

Write the name of the elected official: Chuck Schumer

Write the e-mail address and phone number with area code of the elected official. If the official
can only be emailed through a webpage, indicate this and provide the web address:
757 Third Avenue
Suite 17-02
New York, New York 10017
212-486-4430
Webpage to contact Senator Schumer
http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contactchuck.cfm
Exercise 1.5: References
Your Total Score :_____( maximum: 10 points)



Prepare a list of references that includes all sources for this module.
Follow the APA format.
Include all sources used in the exercises.

Start the References page on the next line or on the next page.
Water Rules and Regulations for the Town of Lewisboro.
www.lewisborogov.com/Government/departments/receiveroftaxes/docs/Water District
Regulations.pdf. Accessed on October 9, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Health Insurance in New York State. www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/chplus/index.htm. Accessed on
October 9, 2010 at 3:27 PM.
FDA Fundamentals.www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/Transparency/Basics/ucm192695.htm. Last accessed
on October 9, 2010 at 3:20 PM.
Sack, Kevin (2010) “Judge Rules Health Law Is Constitutional.” New York Times. October 7,
2010.
nytimes.com/2010/10/08/health/policy/08health.html?_r=1&ref=health_insurance_and_managed_
care. Accessed on October 9, 2010, 2:36 PM.
Alderman, Lesley (2010). “Government Helps to Insure Children, Even Above the Poverty Line.”
New York Times. October 8, 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/health/09patient.html?ref=health. Last Accessed on October
9, 2010 at 2:41 PM.
Egeln, Harold. (2010) “Brooklyn Reps Hail 9/11 Bill’s Passage.” Brooklyn Daily Egal.
September 30, 2010.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=27&id=38471. Last Accessed
on October 9, 2010 at 3:08 PM.
------ (2010). “U.S. Supreme Court.” The New York Times.
topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/s/supreme_court/index.html?inline=nyt-org. Accessed October 9,
2010.
i
ii
McGreal, Chris (2009-10-01). "Revealed: millions spent by lobbyists fighting Obama health reforms". The Guardian
(London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/01/lobbyists-millions-obama-healthcare-reform. Accessed October 9,
2010.
Benner, Joshua; Morrison, Marisa; Karnes, Erin, Kocot, S. Lawrence & McClellan, Mark (2010). “An Evaluation of Recent
Federal Spending on Comparative Effectiveness Research.” Health Affairs.
content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/29/10/1768?ijkey=GO8roHXznIAzM&keytype=ref&siteid=healthaff. Accessed
October 9, 2010
iii