As Health Care Debate Heats Up, Industry Spends Big Bucks

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/09/18/as-health-care-debate-heats-up-industry-spends-big-bucks/

As Health Care Debate Heats Up, Industry Spends Big Bucks

by Seth Michaels, Sep 18, 2007

A new report shows that as the nation’s attention turns to health care, the health care industry has pumped unprecedented amounts of money into lobbying to protect its profit margins.

According to the Congressional Quarterly (CQ), a Senate report shows the health care industry spent $227 million in just the first half of 2007 on lobbying activities—a 17 percent increase over the previous period. In fact, of the top 10 spenders on lobbying in this period, five organizations are in the health care industry, topped by PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

With a presidential campaign in full swing and a new Democratic majority in Congress pushing health care legislation, it’s clear that insurance and drug companies will fight hard to maintain their control over the nation’s health infrastructure. In particular, these corporations are hoping to influence the battle over children’s health insurance. According to CQ:

What’s behind health care lobbyists’ spending frenzy? Most signs point to legislation in the House and Senate to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, popularly known as “SCHIP.” It’s the first time Congress has had to reauthorize the program and it’s one of the biggest pieces of health care legislation in the last decade.

FULL story at link.