Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
Module 1
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.
Saving lives and comforting people in need are two of my biggest passions in life.
There is nothing I love doing more than being able to help people that are hurt or in pain
and that is why I have chosen to pursue a career in health care. Since I would like to
pursue this career, I am very interested in medical advancements and research. New
drugs such as medicinal marijuana have made quite a large breakthrough in the way
people are treated for illnesses. Different methods of treatment for debilitating illnesses
have a major effect on the healthcare system by reducing costs and side effects of
medicine as well as treatment. “…Preliminary research suggests that cannabinoids
may help in fighting cancer and reducing spasms in people with multiple sclerosis or
Parkinson’s disease…” Ongoing research is constantly finding new methods for
curing or reducing the effects of diseases and I am always very interested in reading
about these advancements because of the positive ways they effect health care.
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
Leland, John (2010) “Marijuana, Once Divisive, Brings Some Families Closer” October
9, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/us/10pot.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Accessed on October 11, 2010, 7:21 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:
Congress is trying to pass the “Health Authority Act of 2010” which will give the federal
government the right to block unreasonable premium increase without considering the
factors. This will likely lead to increased premiums and less affordable health care
coverage.
(2010) “NAHU- Misguided Federal Legislation to Place Additional Price Controls on
Insurance.” http://capwiz.com/nahu/issues/alert/?alertid=14980601
Accessed on October 11, 2010, 7:34 PM.

Describe and reference an administrative action:
The FDA has released the influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 season. This vaccine
combines the H1N1 virus and the virus for this years flu. Each vaccine differs in
composition by the area in which it is distributed.
----------. (2010). “Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2010-2011 Season.” October 6, 2010
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformatio
n/Post-MarketActivities/LotReleases/ucm202750.htm
Accessed on October 11, 2010 at 7:45 PM.

Describe and reference a judicial action:
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
HIPPA released new rules to increase patient confidentiality by reducing the number of
people that have access to records and it blocks more commercial markets to have direct
contact with patients unless that have written permission.
----------. (2010). “New HIPAA/HITECH Rules Announced.” Medlaw.com
http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/Medical_Records/8_3/new-hipaahitech-rulesannounced.shtml July 15, 2010 Accessed October 11, 2010 at 7:58 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:
Medicare is a comprehensive healthcare insurance program for the elderly over 65. It has
four parts. Part A provides for hospital care; Part B provides for medical care such as
doctor’s visits/examinations; Part C provides for Medicare Advantage Plans which
supplement Medicare coverage with private health insurance plans; Part D provides for
prescription drugs.
“Medicare Advantage Premiums to Fall in 2011” New York Times. September 21, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/health/policy/22medicare.html?ref=medicare Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm.

Describe and reference a state public policy (indicate which state):
While supported by federal funds, Medicaid, a program to provide health insurance to the
poor, is administered by state governments who determine the eligibility requirements for
the residents of New York. The recent recession has driven millions of people to use
Medicaid.
“Recession Drove Millions to Medicaid in 09, Survey Finds” New York Times. October
1,
2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/health/policy/01medicaid.html?ref=medicaid Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm.

Describe and reference a local public policy (indicate which local government):
Rockland Department of Health opened the first flu clinic in Rockland and attracted over
500 people to receive their flu vaccine. The Department of Health is trying to
encouraging everyone to get their flu vaccine to avoid another outbreak of the flu virus.
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
“Rockland’s First Flu Clinic Attracts 500” The Journal News. October 8, 2010
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010080381 Last accessed on
October 11, 2010 at 8:35 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:
Medicaid
Player #1:
Name: Jonathan D. Blum
Title: Deputy Administrator of Medicare Agency
Justification:
Jonathan Blum is the Deputy Administrator of the Medicare Agency and he was
involved with all changes made to Medicare, especially premiums. He (along with
other officials) decided to negotiate and reject bids made by Medicare companies,
many of these negotiations provided beneficiaries with more benefits.
“Medicare Advantage Premiums to Fall in 2011” New York Times. September 21, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/health/policy/22medicare.html?ref=medicare Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
Player #2:
10/18/10
Module 1
Name: Barrack Obama
Title: President of the United States
Justification:
Barrack Obama and his administration developed the new Health Care plan for
the United States, which created multiple changes to Medicare. The new
Medicare requirements forced companies to increase premiums initially to cover
the demands of the Health Care Plan.
Player #3:
Name: Dr. Donald M. Berwick
Title: Administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Justification:
Dr. Berwick has partial control over what changes are made to Medicare and
Medicaid services. His position in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
services allows him to debate what changes should be made in both fairness to the
companies and beneficiaries.
“Medicare Advantage Premiums to Fall in 2011” New York Times. September 21, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/health/policy/22medicare.html?ref=medicare Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
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: Rosemary Mills, Age 68, Medicare Advantage Plan holder
Justification:
Rosemary Mills is 68 years old and works part time. She holds the Medicare Advantage Plan,
which is a publicly supported private insurance plan, which provides additional benefits to the
standard Medicare coverage. Her premium has gone up due to the reforms made in Medicare,
which will make the cost of living extremely hard for her since she has a low income and is not
yet retired. Since she is only an average citizen, Mrs. Mills has no power over what changes are
made to her Medicare plan, making her a stakeholder and not a player.
Stakeholder #2: Mr. Joseph Brown, Professor
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
Justification: Mr. Brown is a citizen who follows health policy closely, but does not have
any direct power or influence over healthcare policy decisions at the federal
level of government. He holds Aetna Health Insurance which means his
premium may rise an average of 19%.
Stakeholder #3: Dr.Donald M. Berwick
Justification:
Dr. Berwick has a high postion in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services so the changes
made to health care by the Obama administration forced him to make changes to the companies
in order to afford the new health care requirements.
“Medicare Advantage Premiums to Fall in 2011” New York Times. September 21, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/health/policy/22medicare.html?ref=medicare Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
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:
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
950 F Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20004

Briefly describe one of the organization’s lobby goals:
“PhRMAs mission is winning advocacy for public policies that encourage the discovery
of life saving and life enhancing new medicines.” (from mission statement) PhRMA
lobbies against legislation that threatens the profits of pharmaceutical industries including
promoting Medicare, Part D and opposing Healthcare Reform.
http://www.phrma.org/about_phrma/mission_statement/mission_statement/
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies

10/18/10
Module 1
Write the name and title of the player you could contact:
David Brennan, Chairman
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 Cancer Society
125 W 31st Street
New York, New York 10001

Write the name and title of the player you could contact:
Terry Fontham, M.PH, D.PH. President, American Cancer Society

Briefly describe a specific service provided to the organization’s clients:
The American Cancer Society raises funding for cancer research and provides support
networks for cancer patients and their families.
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:
Westchester County Department of Health
145 Huguenot Street, 8th Floor
New Rochelle, New York 10801

Write the name of the player in the department:
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
10/18/10
Module 1
Dr. Joshua Lipsman. Commissioner of Health

Write the e-mail address and phone number of the player:
(914) 813-5000
Webpage to Contact Westchester County Health Department
blog.westchestergov.com/secureforms/health/
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-WV)

Write the name of the elected official: Jay Rockefeller

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:
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Webpage to contact Senator Rockefeller
http://rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
Amanda Havrilla
New Visions Health-Social Studies
Exercise 1.5: References
Your Total Score:_____
10/18/10
Module 1
(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.
----------. (2010). “Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2010-2011 Season.” October 6, 2010
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformatio
n/Post-MarketActivities/LotReleases/ucm202750.htm Accessed on October 11, 2010 at
7:45 PM.
----------. (2010). “New HIPAA/HITECH Rules Announced.” Medlaw.com
http://www.medlaw.com/healthlaw/Medical_Records/8_3/new-hipaahitech-rulesannounced.shtml July 15, 2010 Accessed October 11, 2010 at 7:58 PM.
Leland, John (2010) “Marijuana, Once Divisive, Brings Some Families Closer” October
9, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/us/10pot.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Accessed on October 11, 2010, 7:21 PM.
“Medicare Advantage Premiums to Fall in 2011” New York Times. September 21, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/health/policy/22medicare.html?ref=medicare Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm.
“Recession Drove Millions to Medicaid in 09, Survey Finds” New York Times. October
1,
2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/health/policy/01medicaid.html?ref=medicaid Last
accessed on October 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm
“Rockland’s First Flu Clinic Attracts 500” The Journal News. October 8, 2010
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010080381 Last accessed on
October 11, 2010 at 8:35 pm.