Issue Letter: Each student will select an issue to write a position paper or letter on, and select a federal government official who the letter will be sent to. (The letters don't have to actually be mailed, but after all the work, why not?) The assignment, simply put, revolves around picking an issue that matters to the student, researching it, and then writing an informed letter to the official of the student's choice. Acceptable recipients include the President of the US, US Senators, US Representatives, and Cabinet officials. If students wish to write to someone else not mentioned here, confirm the preference with the professor. Letters must be between 1,500 words and 2,500 words (which is approximately 4-7 pages of double-spaced, Times New Roman size 12 font, with one inch margins around the edges), be based on AT LEAST 5 legitimate sources, and be well written. Citations must follow a proper citation format, like APA, Turabian, Chicago, or a different format approved by the professor. To help make the letter/paper move towards completion, students will need to submit it in stages, all of which will be submitted through Canvas, in the Assignments section.

• MLA format
• Introduction
• 3-5 Body paragraphs
• Conclusion

Letter Topic and Recipient:

The topic of mental health care access and affordability is of utmost importance due to the prevalence of mental health conditions and the significant impact they have on individuals and communities across the country. Senator Debbie Stabenow has demonstrated a strong commitment to mental health advocacy throughout her career, serving as the Chair of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care and consistently advocating for policies that prioritize mental health care. As a key figure in shaping healthcare policy and with her proven dedication to mental health issues, Senator Stabenow is well-suited to address the challenges of improving access and affordability for mental health care services ("International Dairy Foods Association").

Annotated Bibliography:

International Dairy Foods Association. "U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow." IDFA, www.idfa.org/experts/u-s-senator-debbie-stabenow.

This source provides biographical information about U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is a relevant figure for discussions on mental health care access and affordability as she may play a role in shaping related policies and legislation.

Beinecke, Sarah, and Simon Workman. "The Behavioral Health Care Affordability Problem." Center for American Progress, 28 Sept. 2022, www.americanprogress.org/article/the-behavioral-health-care-affordability-problem/.

This article from the Center for American Progress explores the affordability challenges in behavioral health care, shedding light on the financial barriers that individuals face in accessing necessary mental health services. It discusses various factors contributing to the problem and highlights the importance of addressing affordability to improve overall mental health outcomes.

Daum, Spencer, et al. "How Affordable Is Mental Healthcare? The Long-Term Impact on Financial Health." McKinsey & Company, 7 Dec. 2022, www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/how-affordable-is-mental-healthcare-the-long-term-impact-on-financial-health.

McKinsey & Company's report delves into the affordability of mental healthcare and examines its long-term impact on individuals' financial health. By analyzing data and trends, the report offers insights into the economic consequences of inadequate access to affordable mental health services, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to address this issue.

Ossman, Annette, et al. "Access and Coverage for Mental Health Care: Findings from the 2022 KFF Women's Health Survey." Kaiser Family Foundation, 11 Nov. 2022, www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/access-and-coverage-for-mental-health-care-findings-from-the-2022-kff-womens-health-survey/.

This report by the Kaiser Family Foundation presents findings from a survey specifically focused on access and coverage for mental health care among women. It provides valuable data and statistics, offering insights into disparities in access to mental health services based on gender and highlighting areas for improvement in policy and healthcare delivery.

Mental Health America. "Access to Care Data." Mental Health America, www.mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-access-care-data.

Mental Health America's data on access to mental health care provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape, including information on barriers to access, regional disparities, and gaps in service delivery. This resource offers valuable statistics and analysis that can inform efforts to improve access to mental health care for individuals across different demographics and geographic locations.

Work Cited

International Dairy Foods Association. "U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow." IDFA,www.idfa.org/experts/u-s-senator-debbie-stabenow.

Beinecke, Sarah, and Simon Workman. "The Behavioral Health Care Affordability Problem." Center for American Progress, 28 Sept. 2022,www.americanprogress.org/article/the-behavioral-health-care-affordability-problem/.

Daum, Spencer, et al. "How Affordable Is Mental Healthcare? The Long-Term Impact on Financial Health." McKinsey & Company, 7 Dec. 2022,www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/how-affordable-is-mental-healthcare-the-long-term-impact-on-financial-health.

Ossman, Annette, et al. "Access and Coverage for Mental Health Care: Findings from the 2022 KFF Women's Health Survey." Kaiser Family Foundation, 11 Nov. 2022,www.kff.org/mental-health/issue-brief/access-and-coverage-for-mental-health-care-findings-from-the-2022-kff-womens-health-survey/.

Mental Health America. "Access to Care Data." Mental Health America,www.mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-access-care-data.