Health Care Lobbying

[valknott.livejournal.com]

There's an interesting report on Common Cause about the health industry lobbying of Congress:

http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=5281465

Of particular interest is Table 2a providing information on the top recipients of this money from the House and Senate:

http://www.commoncause.org/atf/cf/%7Bfb3c17e2-cdd1-4df6-92be-bd4429893665%7D/COMMON_CAUSE_HEALTHCAREREPORT_JUNE2009.PDF

A lot of these names are on the committees dealing with the health care legislation or are involved in the current markup (i.e., gutting) of the proposed legislation under review. So what do you think? Are the health industry lobbyists going to prevail? What is your prediction regarding the content of the ultimate piece of legislation that will emerge from Congress? Is the Democrat whining about needing a 60 person super-majority simply an excuse to gut the legislation and make sure the people who fill their campaign coffers are satisfied?

Comments

[jlc20thmaine.livejournal.com]

In general, the amount of money lobbyists of all kinds contribute to political campaigns is disgusting (to say the least). Which is why real reform of the electoral process is needed. But I digress.

I've heard so much about the health care industry lobbying our representatives when there are lobbyists from both sides trying to influence the health care legislation. So what my hope, and perhaps being naive in this hope, is that this legislation is not rushed through. That the 1000+ page document is thoroughly scrutinized, and that if anything is passed it will be a pice of legislation what will actually work and not be the standard POS that we've seen the past few months.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Is the Democrat whining about needing a 60 person super-majority simply an excuse to gut the legislation and make sure the people who fill their campaign coffers are satisfied?

Probably.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Hey if the AMA supports the House bill, I'm worried.

[valknott.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's a bad sign.

[hunterkirk.livejournal.com]

Have something against Doctor's or just against Union's?

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Have something against using your brain?

[hunterkirk.livejournal.com]

You really need to start using yours.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

You first!

[hunterkirk.livejournal.com]

This bill is bad news anyway you look at it, and that is why they are trying to rush it through with as few people being about to read it as possible. What ever happened to the 5 day review promise Obama made? It seems everything he wants done must be done yesterday and be voted on with out being read or reported to the general population such that the average person isn't allowed the chance to see what it happening.


Why exactly does this have to happen right now? The system currently in place has been functional and would be at the very least functional for the next year or two. Why not give people a chance to review and improve (if possible) any such efforts before it becomes law?

[valknott.livejournal.com]

The Dems are rushing and the Repubs are dragging their feet because if it doesn't get done before the August break it's dead in the water. When they come back after recess they start to campaign for the 2010 election. After that, everyone starts to campaign for 2012. Obama knows this and want's something pushed through, the Repubs know this and want to kill it in this way. And then everyone grabbing the health care lobby loot and wash their hands of it and blame it on somebody else and the health care lobby rejoices.