Members of Congress respond in an immediate and personal way to their constituents. Advocacy helps legislators understand how health care policies affect their constituents: persons and families in need of health care, employers and employees, individuals and organizations that provide care and services, and all other members of the community they represent. Catholic health systems play a critical role in advocacy efforts by coordinating and activating the ministry on important issues. National advocacy is only as strong as the work of Catholic systems and the voice of local advocates.

Members of Congress rely on credible organizations such as Catholic health care facilities as sources of expertise to inform them about critical health policy issues and the ramifications of policy decisions on the communities that these members of Congress represent.