NR 506 Week 4 Graded Discussion Topic: Challenges in Lobbying
Discuss the best approach for meeting and communicating with your selected elected
... [Show More] official for your healthcare concern. What is your rationale for this approach?
ANSWER
The best approach for meeting and communicating with my selected official, Rep. Elijah Cummings, is to request an appointment through his local office so that he can prepare for the meeting and it will not be an intrusion (Longley, 2017). Although congressional representatives also take meetings when they are in Washington, D.C., they are usually much busier there have more of their time blocked out for them for official business.
At the appointed time, I will come prepared with a brief list of questions, since legislators do not have much time to meet with each constituent. I will also bring a one-page summary of my topic and the key facts I will talk to him about; I will leave this with him when I leave, so that he will have a record of the most important information from the meeting.
My rationale for this approach is that according to a 2013 CMF survey, 95% of the representatives asked looked at “staying in touch with constituents” as the #1 factor in being effective legislators, so I can assume that Rep. Cummings will want to speak with me (Longley, 2017). My rationale is also based on the fact that Rep. Cummings is one of two legislators who introduced a $100 billion bill to address the opioid epidemic, so I know he is already deeply concerned about this issue and will be interested in talking about it (Lopez, 2018). My rationale for keeping the meeting brief is so that the meeting will not inconvenience him and also to bring greater impact to the few key facts we will discuss. My rationale for leaving a summary of the key facts is so that he will be equipped to discuss them with other legislators, which will strengthen the impact of my visit with him.
If the meeting with the legislator goes well, there may be an opening to build on it and develop an ongoing relationship with him, providing further information and staying involved in the legislative process. Many lobbyists have formed long-lasting relationships with legislators, which is a win-win strategy for both. For the legislator, a relationship with a lobbyist can mean access to information from someone who actually works in the healthcare field and who can provide feedback from other healthcare professionals on proposed or passed bills. For the lobbyist, a relationship with a legislator can provide access to discuss any new legislation affecting healthcare-related discussions. These advantages make an ongoing relationship with a legislator a good idea for any nurse who wants to be an advocate and influencer for nursing and general healthcare legislation. The already established relationship means that when lobbying needs to occur in the future, the nurse does not need to start from the beginning but can call upon the legislator he already knows.
References
Longley, R. (2017, May 8). How to meet your members of Congress face-to-face: The most effective form of advocacy. ThoughtCo. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/meeting-with-your-members-of-congress-3322076
Lopez, G. (2018, Apr. 24). The Senate is advancing a bill to fight the opioid crisis. It’s still not enough. Vox. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/4/24/17275746/senate-opioid-crisis-response-act-congress [Show Less]