Disss one to three

M4D1: Lobbyists

There is a wide range of groups with influence over the health policy making process. One of the groups with the most controversial role is that of lobbyists. Lobbyists are people who are paid by groups of stakeholders to advocate directly to legislators for particular policies. Some people argue that lobbying is an important part of policy making because it allows stakeholders to ensure that their voices are being heard by legislators in the most efficient way possible. And, at the most fundamental level, our democratic system is based on the idea that people will tell (i.e. lobby) their elected leaders what they need and want. Others, however, believe that lobbying overwhelmingly favors stakeholder groups that have large financial resources, which can serve to drown out the voices of stakeholders who do not have the money to pay for lobbyists. In addition, lobbyists have been accused of wielding their financial resources to inappropriately influence legislators’ votes via campaign contributions, gifts, and other incentives. We have to ask ourselves, then, if lobbying does more harm than good.

As you engage with this week’s discussion and with one another, be sure to read what has already been posted and then add substantively to the discussion. Time goes quickly, so remember to post early in the week! The first question is based on what you have learned so far in this course so that you can post immediately without having completed all of this week’s readings.

For this discussion, you will discuss what role you think lobbyists should have in the health policy making process. Use the following questions to help guide your initial post:

What is an appropriate role for lobbyists in the health policy making process?

What regulations, if any, should be placed on lobbyists?

How might lobbyists impact policy making regarding your selected health policy issue?

If lobbyists were not involved in the policy making process, what would be different?

Then, respond to your classmates. How did your thoughts differ from your classmate’s? What important points did your classmate raise that you could expand on? What examples could you share that would highlight the difference in thinking between you and your classmate? How does your lens (your personal experiences, background, learning, etc.) affect your thinking on this subject, and how does your lens differ from that of your classmate?

Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on "Reply." Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click "Post Reply."