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Dems Helped Shape Health Industry Ad Campaign

Meeting raises questions about ties to big business

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2009 11:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Aides to President Obama and Max Baucus met with a variety of lobbyists for corporate health care companies on April 15, to help form two industry coalitions and launch a multimillion-dollar ad campaign, Politico has learned. Though both sides insist no quid pro quo was laid out, some participants say they felt pressured to join the coalitions created at the meeting. “What were we supposed to say? No?” says one attendee.

Others say the meeting only formalized de facto alliances. Attendees say Democrats were subtle, discussing shared goals but making no overt demands. One ethics expert says that still raises plenty of concerns, though. “They’re basically laying a ‘quid’ on the table and—even if they don’t discuss dollar amounts or advertising strategies—they’re suggesting what the ‘quo’ is, which is the groups’ support for the plan.”

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

[Quotes (1)]

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., asks President Barack Obama a question at the White House Forum on Health Reform in the East Room of the White House, March 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Rahm Emanuel, left, talks with Max Baucus at a dinner for congressional committee heads hosted by President Obama in the East Room of the White House, March 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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One of the ads paid for by the industry group. (youtube.com)

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What you’ve had was the Senate and the White House sitting down and cutting deals with special interests. I don’t think that’s quite what the American people signed up for. - Bill Allison, of the Sunlight Foundation, a non-profit ethics watchdog group

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

Derni

Oct 16, 2009 7:21 AM CDT

Everyone should realize that in politics-as in any negotiations-much of the work goes on behind the scenes-and in "smoke filled room." I didn't think for a minute that this wasn't happening-in fact, I expected it-so I'm not surprised-that still doesn't answer the question: are we going to have a public program like that used in mnay staes now-these programs have hedl down costs-in 10 yrs medical insurance will be up to 24 % of your money uuumm.

northeast

Oct 16, 2009 5:50 AM CDT

Here's where we start to realize that the Republicans aren't the only party owned by conglomerates. It won't really sink in for a few more years, but around 2014 we'll be hearing about a blue special-interest scandal every other week.

godawgs

Oct 16, 2009 5:38 AM CDT

yes, not only is possible but it's true. look at the senate finance committee. http://www.opensecrets.org/new...

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Politics • Health

ethics • Barack Obama • advertising • pharma • health care industry • lobbying • lobbyists • health care reform • Max Baucus • special interests • US Senate • Obama administration • President Obama

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Dems Helped Shape Health Industry Ad Campaign