The Washington Post reported on Monday that in the first quarter of this year, health care firms spent more than $126 million to pay for over 350 former lawmakers, congressional staffers and executive branch officials to lobby Congress. To implement its record-breaking influence campaign, the health care industry is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying, according to disclosure records. Industry giant PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, was the biggest spender in the first quarter, coming in at a total of nearly $7 million. Many of the firms lobbying seek to block the legislation that would provide for 46 million uninsured Americans. The employment of insider lobbyists also demonstrates the use of the "revolving door" between public and private sectors. "The numbers reinforce the need for grass roots activists, such as those at the Alliance, to make their voices heard. We need to counter the voices of the corporate lobbyists," said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.
Source: Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert
No comments:
Post a Comment