Interest groups are also referred to as advocacy, campaign and lobby groups. These parties utilize different kinds of advocacy to impact public opinion or strategies. Interest groups have perpetually played a vital part in the growth of socio-political systems. The groups are different in size, motives, and influence with others having long-term goals or developed to deal with an immediate concern (Bernier & Clavier, 2011). The health sector interest groups utilize different mechanisms to obtain their objectives that constitute media campaigns, lobbying, polls, policy briefings, research and publicity stunts. With the support of different entities such as corporations, interest groups concentrating in the health sector have exhibited immense impact in the policymaking process.
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Numerous studies in the health indicate that the positive impact of interest groups in decision-making is mild (Bernier & Clavier, 2011). Generally, there is a likelihood that interest groups will enhance the policy-making through proffering worthwhile information on the particular policy issues in the health sector. Additionally, the interest groups represent issues in policies that may adversely and unwillingly influence the public because of poor deliberation on the policy. Furthermore, the interest groups also positively influence the policymaking process through keeping track of the lawmaking and regulatory procedure. The parties are also vital in holding the government accountable in the lawmaking process. Also, studies have also demonstrated that lobbying up surges concomitant to revenue and that corporations aligning to a lobby group have reduced chances of paying bribes. Conversely, in relatively less politically stable countries, companies have increased chances of bribing and less likely to align with interest groups.
On the other hand, interest group impact, especially when unclear and uneven, it may result in administrative political corruption, bribery, state capture and undue influence. Unlike political corruption and bribery that are viewed as the most typical kinds of corruption, the undue effect is shrewder and inevitably unlawful. Therefore, the interest groups may utilize the influence on lawmaking in the absence of embarking on unlawful compensations. In this way, the interest groups try to develop a kind of ‘sense of reciprocity’ with the community servants. For instance, through lawfully donating funds to political campaigns, proffering research and hosting receptions among others (Bernier & Clavier, 2011). Further, the undue influence also can be attained through assuring the public servant’s lucrative jobs in the future. The promised jobs are mainly in the private sector. In exchange, the public officials shape regulations to the liking of the interest groups or place previous ministers and parliamentarians in lobby organizations.
In conclusion, interest groups have both positive and negative impacts in the policymaking process in healthcare. For instance, the interest groups represent issues in policies that may adversely and unwillingly influence the public because of poor deliberation on the policy. Then again, the interest groups may utilize undue influence on lawmaking in the absence of embarking on unlawful compensations.
References
Bernier, N. F., & Clavier, C. (2011). Public health policy research: making the case for a political science approach. Health promotion international, 26(1), 109-116.
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