Lobbyists Target Health Care, Tobacco

(CBS/AP)

Two of Congress' most high-profile agenda items of late demonstrate that the influence of money is alive and well in Washington -- or that lobbyists are still hoping it is.

The largest medical insurers and drug companies are stepping up their lobbying efforts as Congress deliberates the details of a significant overhaul of the nation's health care system. The companies spent 41 percent more on lobbying this year than last year, reports USA Today.

Twenty of the largest insurance and drug companies and their trade groups spent close to $35 million in the first quarter of this year, an increase of more than $10 million from the same period last year, the newspaper said. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which supports some of Congress' proposed changes but opposes the formation of a government-sponsored plan, has spent $6.9 million in 2009 -- an increase of 91 percent from 2008. Pfizer has more than doubled its efforts, bringing its 2009 lobbying expenditures to $6.1 million.

Meanwhile, as an anti-smoking bill passed in Congress moves to the president's desk, McClatchy Newspapers points out that some of the top recipients of campaign contributions from the tobacco industry were among the few Senators who voted against the bill, which passed 79 to 17 on Thursday.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) were among those named. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, has received $228,700 from tobacco-related political action committees and individual contributions over the course of his career. The senators say the campaign contributions did not affect their votes, McClatchy reports.

"I voted against the FDA tobacco bill because I'm opposed to the overregulation of an industry that's already highly regulated, from farmer to manufacturer," Chambliss said. "The bill saddles the already overburdened FDA with even more oversight duties, and does nothing to reduce the rate of smoking among Americans — cigarettes already on the shelves will remain on the market."

In spite of the spending spike in areas like health care, overall lobbying expenditures are down for this year, USA Today reported. The potential for misconduct was also highlighted yesterday when the House Ethics Committee announced it is investigating certain members of Congress for inappropriate activity relating to their relationships with the PMA Group, a now-defunct defense industry lobbying firm.

[tincup356]

As long as the same two parties run Washington, the people will never be represented, they have BOTH sold their souls and the nations to the lobby dollar, never more prevalent than this year as the Great lobby robbery of 2009 still rages on. Look back to last year when G.W. Bush cried out we have a problem with home foreclosures, and we need to rescue them for 700 billion dollars....congress allotted the money..... and it went straight to people who paid huge sums of lobby dollars to BOTH parties,,,,BILLIONS.,,,,,,when it was all said and done..... the ONLY people that got monies....PAID lobby dollars......here it is 9 months later , AND NOT ONE CENT went to help the home foreclosure situation,,,,,,why not? It would almost seem that congress as a whole allotted money for one thing then,,,,,,,misappropriated that money and gave it to people who had paid BOTH parties BRIBES,,,,, Not just a few dollars, BUT BILLIONS,,,,at the expense of Americans for generations to come. These people need to be brought before the people to answer for their crimes against the people and to be held responsible for ALL their actions of the political/corporate conspiracy that has brought this country to it's knees.

[starleo146]

In my book, every single one of the bribers should be imprisoned, along with the Senators and Congressman who accept them.

Until we outlaw these outright bribes, the battle for our country and its citizens is lost before the fight begins.
Posted by nofoolling at 3:49 AM : Jun 13, 2009

The Insurance industry give a lot of campaign money to these jerks who are suppose to represent us, but instead they sit back and say who will pay the most for my vote. It is like there pay raise they voted to keep to heck with you people losing your jobs I will not lose a dime. That is why they work so hard to be reelected they come out of it richer than when they went in there should be a limit on them to be reelected as it is for a president only 2 terms

[vista8635]

Last year I paid $200 a month for single person health insurance, with a $1, 200.00 deductible, and a co-pay of $35.00 each time I saw a doctor. For in-network hospital visits I had to pay the deductible before the insurance would pay a penny of the bill. After I paid off the deductible, I had to pay 20% of any hospital bill I got.

Stop government by the corporations, for the corporations. Shoot a lobbyist, if you want affordable healthcare!

"When you have EVERYONE paying, the price will drop big time. How much do you pay now, a month, for health care? If you even have any. A single person, [in Canada], pays $50 a month, a couple pays $90 a month, and a family around $130 a month."
Posted by erasmus111

[nofoolling]

Twenty of the largest insurance and drug companies and their trade groups spent close to $35 million in the first quarter of this year, an increase of more than $10 million from the same period last year, the newspaper said. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which supports some of Congress' proposed changes but opposes the formation of a government-sponsored plan, has spent $6.9 million in 2009 -- an increase of 91 percent from 2008. Pfizer has more than doubled its efforts, bringing its 2009 lobbying expenditures to $6.1 million.

Why is this not considered bribery?

In my book, every single one of the bribers should be imprisoned, along with the Senators and Congressman who accept them.

Until we outlaw these outright bribes, the battle for our country and its citizens is lost before the fight begins.

[jetranger7]

Notice the new trend lately, when you go to the Doctor office ~~~ Ohhh theres something wrong with you,, why you've got High Blood pressure , you need to be on BP Pills,,, or your a diabetic,, you need to be on insulin,,, or some other problem they want you on PILLS for, its Became a Major Money game with these pharmacuticle companies and Doctors, and I'm NOT Playing their Games ~ !!!!!!

[stn_sage]

Let's see! Thirty-five (35) million dollars have been spent by the medical and drug industries---just two groups---on lobbying in the first quarter of 2009!

It's FUNNY isn't it?! When many politicians get to D.C., they are middle-income group type people; yet, when they leave, almost ALL are millionaires! And, there's high 'costs' associated to their jobs---so where's all the money coming
from, that they have when they file their income statements?

It looks like to me---that they're getting a lot more than 'campaign contributions' ! A LOT MORE!

[sjc_1]

National Health Insurance ....YES. Mandatory ...NO.

If Democrats force mandatory then they will be blamed forever. Just do optional National Health Insurance and see how it goes. The 40 million uninsured may become insured if there employers can find affordable insurance. Do NOT make it mandatory.

[rednomo]

As Willie Nelson says, "That ain't mice nut$."

[rednomo]

We are all too familiar with the "socialized medicine" talking points, every time you hear them just think of more of the same because that is exactly what they want, more of the same. We now see what has happened to the health-care system. CEOs rake in the big bucks from the huge profits they take in as health-insurance costs have skyrocketed.

FierceHealthcare reports the following top 10 CEO salaries for 2008.

* Ron Williams - Aetna - Total Compensation: $24,300,112.

* H. Edward Hanway - CIGNA - Total Compensation: $12,236,740.

* Angela Braly - WellPoint - Total Compensation: $9,844,212.

* Dale Wolf - Coventry Health Care - Total Compensation: $9,047,469.

* Michael Neidorff - Centene - Total Compensation: $8,774,483.

* James Carlson - AMERIGROUP - Total Compensation: $5,292,546.

* Michael McCallister - Humana - Total Compensation: $4,764,309.

* Jay Gellert - Health Net - Total Compensation: $4,425,355.

* Richard Barasch - Universal American - Total Compensation: $3,503,702.

* Stephen Hemsley - UnitedHealth Group - Total Compensation: $3,241,042.

[cattlekate1]

Posted by zonkzilla at 12:28 PM : Jun 12, 2009

excellent post - thank you.