The purpose of this week’s discussion is to discuss lobbyist and advocates. I will achieve
this by defining what a lobbyist and define what an advocate is. Next, I will explain the
similarities and differences between lobbyists and advocates. I will then discuss why they are
both important. Lastly, I will describe if The Joint Commission (TJC) lobby’s or advocate’s for
health care policy.
According to Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O’Grady (2016), a lobbyist is one who tries to
persuade and influence government officials to shape policy by ensuring that policymakers
understand the concerns of their clients or constituents. An advocate is a person who speak or
write, supporting or defending individuals, families, communities, or systems with certain issues
(Mason et al., 2016).
By definition, both a lobbyist and an advocate are very similar, but have many
differences. Advocacy is generally standing up for what is right or arguing in favor of a cause or
idea. According to Dellmuth & Tallberg (2017), there is no limit to the amount of advocacy an
organization can do. Advocates use different outlets, such as the media, to spread the word of
awareness of a certain issue. They also can meet or tell a member of Congress how an issue is
affecting a certain group or violates constituents (Dellmuth & Tallberg, 2017). Advocates do not
get paid and are not required to register with Congress for being an advocate (Mason et al.,
2016). Lobbyists are also considered advocates, but they are using more of their time to
influence Congress or policymakers to change laws or policies. Lobbyists that utilize 20% of
their time on lobbying activities are required to register with Congress, report their projects, and
financial funding. They also ask members of Congress to vote for or against, or to amend a
certain legislation. Lobbyists also utilize petitions either within their organization or the public to
support or oppose a certain legislature (Dellmuth & Tallberg, 2017). Usually, lobbying is their
This study source was downloaded by 100000844555733 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2022 14:41:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/54372700/DB3-Lobbyist-vs-Advocatedocx/
this by defining what a lobbyist and define what an advocate is. Next, I will explain the
similarities and differences between lobbyists and advocates. I will then discuss why they are
both important. Lastly, I will describe if The Joint Commission (TJC) lobby’s or advocate’s for
health care policy.
According to Mason, Gardner, Outlaw, & O’Grady (2016), a lobbyist is one who tries to
persuade and influence government officials to shape policy by ensuring that policymakers
understand the concerns of their clients or constituents. An advocate is a person who speak or
write, supporting or defending individuals, families, communities, or systems with certain issues
(Mason et al., 2016).
By definition, both a lobbyist and an advocate are very similar, but have many
differences. Advocacy is generally standing up for what is right or arguing in favor of a cause or
idea. According to Dellmuth & Tallberg (2017), there is no limit to the amount of advocacy an
organization can do. Advocates use different outlets, such as the media, to spread the word of
awareness of a certain issue. They also can meet or tell a member of Congress how an issue is
affecting a certain group or violates constituents (Dellmuth & Tallberg, 2017). Advocates do not
get paid and are not required to register with Congress for being an advocate (Mason et al.,
2016). Lobbyists are also considered advocates, but they are using more of their time to
influence Congress or policymakers to change laws or policies. Lobbyists that utilize 20% of
their time on lobbying activities are required to register with Congress, report their projects, and
financial funding. They also ask members of Congress to vote for or against, or to amend a
certain legislation. Lobbyists also utilize petitions either within their organization or the public to
support or oppose a certain legislature (Dellmuth & Tallberg, 2017). Usually, lobbying is their
This study source was downloaded by 100000844555733 from CourseHero.com on 04-03-2022 14:41:55 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/54372700/DB3-Lobbyist-vs-Advocatedocx/
