Which issues appear (from the website) to be top priorities for the organization?
1. Interest Group Assignment – You will select an interest group (i.e., AHIP, Coalition for Health Services Research, Emergency Nurses Association, Pharma, a nursing organization, other health care group, union, consumer group, or another organization that focuses, at least in part, on health care issues) and investigate the group’s key issues, how they are pushing their agenda (i.e., mechanisms used to influence policy makers), key obstacles, and spending (consult the Center for Responsible Politics, www.opensecrets.org). In addition to investigating the interest group’s website and reviewing position statements and testimony, you should consult media reports to obtain more information on the group’s lobbying efforts. What is the organization’s mission (or purpose), per its website? How is the organization funded? Whom does the organization represent? (Whom does it speak for, or claim to speak for? Who are its members? How many members does it have—if this information is posted?) Which issues appear (from the website) to be top priorities for the organization? (Briefly identify one or two). What kind of reputation does the group have regarding health care issues? For example—is it considered influential (or “powerful”); is it considered progressive, conservative, etc.?
