The Truth About Lobbying in Washington
Listen to Episode 1 of the Policy Prescriptions Podcast Series
On Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube, and Forbes Books
About This Episode
What if lobbying isn’t the problem… but the solution?
In this episode of Policy Prescriptions, Gary Jacobs, Author of The Zen Lobbyist: A Mindful Approach to Transforming Healthcare, sits down with health care policy leaders Andrew MacPherson, Healthsperien’s Founding Principal & Managing Partner and Tom Koutsoumpas, Healthsperien’s Founder & President, to break down what lobbying actually is, how it works, and why most people misunderstand it.
They explain how lobbying shapes healthcare, influences legislation, and impacts millions of lives. From the Medicare hospice benefit to modern health policy strategy, this conversation reveals how real change happens behind the scenes.
You’ll also learn:
- Why lobbying is a core part of democracy
- How policy decisions are influenced before meetings even happen
- The role of storytelling, data, and trust in shaping legislation
- Why access alone doesn’t drive results
- How everyday Americans influence policy more than they think
This episode challenges the narrative around lobbying and shows how education, advocacy, and engagement drive real outcomes.
If you care about healthcare, policy, or how decisions get made in Washington, this is a must-watch.
Chapters
00:00 What Is Lobbying Really?
01:45 Why Lobbying Gets a Bad Reputation
03:30 The Role of Advocacy in Democracy
06:00 Education vs Influence in Policy
08:00 What “Democratizing Lobbying” Means
11:00 Why Most People Don’t Understand Civics
13:00 The Real Cost of Lobbying Access
16:00 Access vs Expertise Debate
18:00 Why Storytelling Wins in Policy
21:00 The Power of Personal Stories
24:00 Do Former Politicians Have an Advantage?
26:00 What Makes an Effective Lobbyist
29:00 The Future of Lobbying and Technology
31:00 Final Lessons: Passion, Data, and Trust
About Our Guests
Tom Koutsoumpas
Tom Koutsoumpas is a leading figure in health care policy and advocacy, with deep expertise in Medicare, elder care, advanced illness, and hospice care. He serves as CEO of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, uniting over 90 providers to deliver patient-centered care, and as Chairman of the Board at Capital Caring Health, guiding one of the region’s foremost palliative and hospice care organizations. Tom also co-founded and co-chairs the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, driving policy and coalition-building to improve access and quality of life for patients with serious illness, and co-founded ACT NOW for Mental Health, expanding services and addressing stigma in underserved communities. With experience in the U.S. Senate and the Indiana Governor’s Office, he brings firsthand insight into how policy, advocacy, and lobbying influence legislation and shape healthcare delivery, giving him a distinctive perspective on the strategies that drive meaningful change.
Andrew MacPherson
Andrew MacPherson, Founding Principal and Managing Partner at Healthsperien, brings more than two decades of experience at the intersection of health policy, politics, and advocacy. He co-leads a team advising a diverse portfolio of clients—from Fortune 100 companies to national nonprofits—on navigating complex legislative and regulatory landscapes. A recognized voice in person-centered care, value-based payment, and public health challenges such as social isolation and advanced illness care, Andrew’s work reflects a deep understanding of how policy is shaped both inside and outside formal decision-making processes. His career spans senior roles in government affairs and national policy initiatives, including work on major health reform efforts and the passage of the Affordable Care Act, positioning him as a leading expert on how strategic advocacy and lobbying drive meaningful change in U.S. healthcare.