Lobbying congress: What really happens, what you need to know

Lobbying Congress plays a significant role in influencing health care legislation and the subsequent programs and funding that result from these lobbying efforts. Through the author's experience as a 2000-2001, Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow working as staff to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, this presentation identifies the methods, key players, and impact health care lobbying can have on health care policy. Capitol Hill visits, the development of position statements, formation of coalitions, and mobilization of grass root efforts can occur on any health care issue. These methods will be described with specific examples. Also, while not specifically lobbying, political action committees (PACs) play an important role in impacting health care policy decisions. How these PACs are funded and by what organizations will be discussed. Every professional involved in health care delivery or administration should be aware of the “lobbying game” in order to effectively represent their organization.