The editor of the AARP Bulletin Jim Toedtman reminded us in the March 2016 issue not to ignore history. He recounts that at a rally in California in 1964 President Lyndon Johnson, reflecting on some members of both political parties and their failure in Congress to not having enacted healthcare for the elderly, shared an important Texas truth: "Any jackass can kick a barn down, but it takes a carpenter to build one." Nine months later Congress enacted Medicare. 

Based upon your understanding of the law from Wilensky and Teitelbaum, Pozgar, the videos Sick Around America and Sick Around the World by PBS Frontline, the three journal publications linked in Module 4, and other resources you choose, share your thoughts about what law you would try to enact in today's environment. 

Consider that one Tea Party protester objecting to the Affordable Care Act was pictured carrying a sign reading, "Keep government out of my Medicare!" A Congressman in Florida was caught on video telling constituents the Affordable Care Act has a provision that for those turning age 74 a 'death panel' had to be determine their eligibility for government healthcare. President Trump, apparently frustrated with not being able to repeal the ACA, once remarked, "Who knew healthcare could be so complicated?"  

In this environment of misunderstanding, misinformation, and strong divergent views in a complex area, what will you advocate in your Advocacy paper? This is an opportunity to share with others your ideas on an advocacy project and get feedback from peers on what and how it would be done before submission. If not wanting or ready to discuss the specifics of your project, you can discuss in general what is needed to improve healthcare in the U.S. and the challenges faced.

Earn maximum points by initiating at least one post with a summary of your project or any thoughts you want to share about enacting laws, plus two more postings you initiate or with comments on others, offering feedback on their project.