211582 From bill to law: The legislative process

Monday, November 9, 2009: 10:50 AM

Sara Singleton, MPH , US Senate, Washington, DC
The speaker was the first Public Health Policy Fellow funded by the Association of Schools of Public Health in 2007-08. In her previous role as a fellow for Senator Ted Kennedy, and in her current position as a Legislative Assistant for Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin, she has experienced all aspects of the legislative process first hand—from researching and introducing legislation, through Committee review and final passage. The speaker will describe these stages of the legislative process, and discuss the role public health advocates can play in influencing public policy.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session participants will be able to: 1. Describe the legislative process from bill introduction through enactment into law, and define key legislative terms such as “authorization,” “appropriation” and “budget;” 2. Identify three major public health proposals currently under consideration by Congress.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have detailed and first-hand knowledge of the legislative process. I was a Public Health Policy Fellow funded by the Association of Schools of Public Health from 2007-08. In this capacity, I worked for the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, chaired by Senator Ted Kennedy. As a fellow, I experienced and participated in all aspects of the legislative process, including meeting with stakeholders, drafting legislation, preparing for Committee mark up, and negotiating bills. I am currently a Health Legislative Assistant for Senator Dick Durbin, and in this capacity I handle numerous legislative issues. I have presented on the legislative process on other panels, including at the Society for Public Health Education conference, a national disability conference, and to other public health groups. I have also mentored interns and students, and have experience teaching others about the legislative process.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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