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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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17

Bayh's Wife in Deep With Health Industry

Senator says his vote unaffected by Susan's myriad board positions

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(Newser) – As both sides of the health care debate court Sen. Evan Bayh's elusive vote, his wife's earnings from the industry are raising more than a few eyebrows. The Indianapolis Star  takes a look at Susan Bayh, who pulled down some $2.1 million between 2006 and 2008 for serving on the boards of health care companies that have a decided stake in the outcome of reform.

Susan Bayh went from midlevel lawyer at Eli Lilly while Evan Bayh was Indiana governor to serving on the boards of eight companies, beginning the month before he was elected to the Senate. "Mrs. Bayh is what is called 'overboarded,' " says one industry watcher. The senator, one of the most conservative members of the Democratic caucus, says his family's income from health care companies hasn't affected his views and he has no plans to withdraw his vote. "Her activities have had zero influence on me," he says. 

In this Nov. 4, 2004 file photo, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., joined by his wife Susan, thanks supporters in Indianapolis.
In this Nov. 4, 2004 file photo, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., joined by his wife Susan, thanks supporters in Indianapolis.   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy )
Then-Democratic presidential candidate BarackObama is introduced by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., before speaking before a panel discussion on national security in Indiana last year
Then-Democratic presidential candidate BarackObama is introduced by Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., before speaking before a panel discussion on national security in Indiana last year   (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)
Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., leaves his home in Washington.
Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., leaves his home in Washington.   (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
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What makes her appointments suspicious and worrisome is the fact that most of these board positions came after Evan Bayh was elected to the Senate. - Craig Holman, government affairs lobbyist for advocacy group Public Citizen

The company appreciates Mrs. Bayh's experience, perspective and the many contributions she has made during her tenure as a member of the board. - WellPoint spokesman Todd A. Siesky

I'm going to do what I've always done. Vote my conscience and do what's right for the people of the state. Period.
- Sen. Evan Bayh

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17 comments
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DeniseVB
Jul 27, 09 6:41 AM CDT
Then wouldn't it be appropriate for him to abstain from voting? Reply
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+11
oldgoat
Jul 27, 09 6:44 AM CDT
The health care industry is spending a ton of money on these conservative Dems and Republicans to defeat the health care plan. Throw in that the GOP wants to have Obama fail at all costs and it is no wonder things are going as they are. Congress isn't serving the people, it is serving the boardrooms of America. Reply
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+10
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jul 27, 09 8:12 AM CDT
thee you go try and put some blame on the republicans. you know how they are gong to vote, this whole issue comes from the democrats having internal in-fighting. More and more of these relationships are becoming public. I guess everyone forgot or doesn't want to talk Fienstein and her husbands company but hey what's 25 billion in jobs huh? a lot of people on this site sure do bring up cheney and haliburtion alot but no mention of fienstein and cbre.
Vote up! Vote down!
-4
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 27, 09 9:12 AM CDT
Not only are these Blue Dogs and Repubs not serving the people, neither are these lobbyists. I would speculate that if health care reform is defeated, the lobbyists will get free coverage.
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
Doctor_Zaius
Jul 27, 09 6:52 AM CDT
One of the 10 Dem douchebags holding this thing up. 50 plus Joe gets it done. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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