Better Wyoming Narrative Guides:
The Wyoming Dept. of Health Budget
GOOD NARRATIVE: THE BASICS
Here’s a basic truth when it comes to creating change: IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE RIGHT.
You might have all the facts and figures in the world, and the moral high ground, but those don’t get people to act. What matters is whether you’re able to persuade someone, using language, values, and messages that resonate with them.
If our movement wants to win state-level policies that improve life for the people of Wyoming, we’re going to need to get on the same page in the way we talk about it.
TOP TIP! Good narrative is built on these values, which Wyomingites tend to share:
Freedom, Community, Honesty, Hardwork, and Pride in the Land.
Some DOs and DON'Ts...
DON’T repeat the opposition’s messaging. This just amplifies their points.
DO “pre-bunk” opposition messaging: know your opposition's messaging, and neutralize it in advance if you can.
DON’T fixate on crisis messaging or depressing stories. This de-motivates people.
DO tie serious problems to collective, constructive policy solutions.
DON’T just tell stories. Research shows that this makes it harder for your audience to understand the importance of collective solutions, and instead makes them believe that problems are for individuals to solve.
DO use stories to illustrate collective or policy solutions.
DON’T depend on facts and figures. By themselves, these do not help. Moreover, they can easily be misinterpreted.
DO tie facts and figures to shared values, narrative, and solutions. Try to interpret the facts and figures for your audience first, before actually presenting those facts and figures.
DON’T use jargon.
DO use strong, clear, direct communication.
Each section below introduces a top tip for speaking or writing persuasively on the topic of the Wyoming Department of Health in Wyoming. Each tip is then expanded upon, and examples are provided. These tips and examples are based on research from the Bighorn Company of Colorado, supplied by the Wyoming Civic Engagement Network.
Narrative SUBJECT GUIDE: Wyoming Dept. of Health
Tip # 1: Use strong EXPLANATION that PRE-BUTS opposition points
Explanation: Giving a clear, brief explanation of the issue prevents the opposition’s talking points from “sticking.”
The Wyoming Department of Health has a lean, efficient budget. More than 90 percent of the department’s budget goes directly to local programs and clinics, led by members of our own communities. Cutting the Department of Health budget will only hurt healthcare access in our own communities.
Our communities rely on what the Wyoming Department of Health provides, including:
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- Mental health, suicide prevention, and substance abuse services
- Support for nursing homes, senior care, and hospice care
- Maternal healthcare
- In-home visitation from nurses
- Cancer screenings
Pre-but, don't re-but: Getting out ahead of opposition talking points is better than repeating their points after the fact. Here are some ways to get ahead of “waste, fraud, etc.” framing:
Our Wyoming Department of Health deals with some of our communities’ urgent and important healthcare needs. The folks who run it work hard to ensure efficiency, so that every dollar goes where it’s needed most.
We can take pride in our State Department of Health, which efficiently supports programs and clinics in our communities that make us stronger.
Tip # 2: Build your argument on SHARED VALUES...
Always meet your audience where they are; start with these shared Wyoming values.
Shared Value: HONESTY
Certain legislators are making a political show out of trying to cut the Department of Health Budget, when in reality these cuts will only hurt Wyoming communities. This is dishonest, and it wastes time and taxpayer dollars.
Dishonest legislators are playing politics instead of getting things done.
Shared Value: FREEDOM
Department of Health funding ensures that Wyoming communities are free to chart their own courses and stay strong and resilient.
The programs and clinics supported by the Department of Health help keep us healthy, leaving us free to contribute to our communities.
Shared Value: HARD WORK
Our communities’ clinics and healthcare programs work hard to make every dollar count.
Our clinics and healthcare programs work hard to keep Wyoming communities strong and resilient.
Hardworking Wyomingites need healthy communities to thrive and raise their families.
Shared Value: COMMUNITY
Wyomingites take pride in our resilient, liveable communities. Department of Health funding ensures that these communities stay that way.
Wyoming communities thrive when people are taken care of. Seniors, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and people suffering from mental health issues are all part of our communities, and they all benefit from the care DOH supports.
In Wyoming, we help our neighbors. We pull them out of the snow bank when they’re stuck, and we ensure they’re cared for when they need assistance.
Tip # 3: Map your narrative onto the WYOMING MINDSET...
Research has shown us the thoughts and feelings that Wyomingites tend to share around these issues. We all share similar concerns, and knowing this can be useful for crafting your argument.
Tapping into Emotions
- Wyomingites feel insecure, even pessimistic, about the future of their communities. Cutting the DOH budget makes this problem so much worse.
- Wyoming takes pride in the local community health services that DOH supports, even if they are unaware that local clinics and programs are supported by the state. We are frustrated by inadequate healthcare and dishonest politicians trying to cut healthcare further.
Acknowledging Pain Points
- Wyomingites agree: Healthcare is already inaccessible.
- Cutting the Department of Health is just another example of extreme partisanship and time-wasting bad governance.
Pursuing Aspirations
- The Department of Health helps us invest in the future of our communities by making sure that people can get through tough times, illness, and hardship to strive for a better future.
- Wyoming wants its government to provide better basic services to improve quality of life – starting with better healthcare access.
Tip # 4: Use Better Wyoming's communications team!
Want an extra pair of eyes on what you've written? Email your piece to info@betterwyo.org, and we'll make sure it gets forwarded to the right person.