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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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6

Spending on Health Care Lobbying Up 41%

Drug, insurance companies oppose public insurance

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(Newser) – As the health care debate heats up in Washington, insurance and drug companies are keeping their lobbyists busy. So far this year, those industries have increased their lobbyist spending by 41% as they fight a proposed public insurance plan, USA Today reports. That's $35 million in the first quarter for the 20 biggest companies and their trade groups—$10 million more than last year.

The companies defend the spending and say they're looking out for the public's best interests. "We believe that the private health care marketplace fosters competition, innovation and consumer choice," Merck said. And groups that support public insurance are worried they won't be able to compete. "The other side is going to be outspending us inside the Beltway," one rep said.

Various newspaper health care advertisements from lobbying groups are seen in Washington on May 19, 2009.
Various newspaper health care advertisements from lobbying groups are seen in Washington on May 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
A American flag flies at the US Capitol on Feb. 8, 2009.
A American flag flies at the US Capitol on Feb. 8, 2009.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
President Obama talks about health care reform at a town hall meeting on June 11, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis.
President Obama talks about health care reform at a town hall meeting on June 11, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis.   (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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6 comments
VIEWING:
 
SBS
Jun 12, 09 5:11 PM CDT
What other side? Between the AMA, insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies they have more money than God. Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
radnip
Jun 17, 09 4:22 AM CDT
Tax them!
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Doctor_Zaius
Jun 12, 09 6:45 PM CDT
The best government money can buy. Remember kids, your vote is not as important as the influence the insurance companies pay for. Say, I thought Republicans were all about competition? What's wrong with a government option going into competition with private enterprise? Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
SPH
Jun 12, 09 8:07 PM CDT
What is wrong with single payer...Oh yeah it interferes with corporate profits....The whole insurance industry revolves around "charge as much as you can and payout as little as possible"...Meanwhile people suffer and die...For profit health care is both stupid and counter-productive...... Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Doctor_Zaius
Jun 13, 09 7:50 AM CDT
Unfortunately, single payer is off the table. However if a comprehensive government plan went into competition with private insurance it would eventually put private insurance out of business because they could not compete because the profit element would drag them down. Contact the members of the senate finance committee and inform them that you want a "comprehensive government run health-care option". Thanks.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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