Similarities Between A Lobbyist And An Advocate
In health care today, there are many circumstances in which nurses can become involved in politics to become a lobbyist or an advocate. These political stances are critical in health care reform and policies. Uniting nurses together to promote changes to enhance health care is central to health care reform. This discussion board will provide clear definitions of a lobbyist versus an advocate, distinguish similarities and differences, state why both are important contributors in health care policy, and discuss how the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) advocates for health care policy. As the largest group of health care professionals across the nation, it is essential to possess the knowledge of promoting health care policies and
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To actively lobby is to help mold policy and persuade government by informing policymakers of the client’s interests (Mason, Gardner, Hopkins Outlaw, & O’Grady, 2016). On the other hand, an advocate is someone who publicly backs or endorses a cause or policy to assist people stand for specific interests and acquire desired services (Megson, 2013). There are various types of advocacy such as case advocacy, self-advocacy, peer advocacy, paid independent advocacy, citizen advocacy, and statutory advocacy (Megson, 2013). In comparing a lobbyist and an activist, both act to make an impact on a specific topic of interest. In addition, both can lobby Congress (Mason et al., 2016). Lobbying is a type of advocacy but there are tax regulations that separate the two. A professional lobbyist is paid for his or her work in an effort to sway legislation through communicating with a lawmaker on a particular piece of legislation, whereas a citizen advocate is an unpaid position and spends less than 20% of the time on lobbying movements (Mason et al., 2016). Both lobbyists and advocates are especially important in health care because each have a profound effect on professional functions, characterize proficiency in promoting safe work environments, and have the ability to prevent hazardous
To actively lobby is to help mold policy and persuade government by informing policymakers of the client’s interests (Mason, Gardner, Hopkins Outlaw, & O’Grady, 2016). On the other hand, an advocate is someone who publicly backs or endorses a cause or policy to assist people stand for specific interests and acquire desired services (Megson, 2013). There are various types of advocacy such as case advocacy, self-advocacy, peer advocacy, paid independent advocacy, citizen advocacy, and statutory advocacy (Megson, 2013). In comparing a lobbyist and an activist, both act to make an impact on a specific topic of interest. In addition, both can lobby Congress (Mason et al., 2016). Lobbying is a type of advocacy but there are tax regulations that separate the two. A professional lobbyist is paid for his or her work in an effort to sway legislation through communicating with a lawmaker on a particular piece of legislation, whereas a citizen advocate is an unpaid position and spends less than 20% of the time on lobbying movements (Mason et al., 2016). Both lobbyists and advocates are especially important in health care because each have a profound effect on professional functions, characterize proficiency in promoting safe work environments, and have the ability to prevent hazardous