As Health Care Debate Heats Up, Industry Spends Big Bucks

by via Seth Michaels, AFL-CIO

Wed, Sep 19, 2007 6:55AM

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 : A new report shows that as the nation?s attention turns to health care, the health care industry has pumped unprecedented amounts of money into lobbying to protect its profit margins. According to the Congressional Quarterly (CQ), a Senate report shows the health care industry spent $227 million in just the first half of 2007 on lobbying activities?a 17 percent increase over the previous period.

In fact, of the top 10 spenders on lobbying in this period, five organizations are in the health care industry, topped by PhRMA, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

With a presidential campaign in full swing and a new Democratic majority in Congress pushing health care legislation, it’s clear that insurance and drug companies will fight hard to maintain their control over the nation’s health infrastructure. In particular, these corporations are hoping to influence the battle over children’s health insurance. According to CQ:

What’s behind health care lobbyists’ spending frenzy? Most signs point to legislation in the House and Senate to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, popularly known as “SCHIP.” It’s the first time Congress has had to reauthorize the program and it’s one of the biggest pieces of health care legislation in the last decade.

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For more information: http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/09/18/as-healt...

§Bush’s Definition of Universal Health Care Leaves out Millions of Children

by via Payson Schwin, AFL-CIO

Wed, Sep 19, 2007 6:55AM

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 : Here's irony: Today in USA Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt claims President Bush supports the goal of health care for all: [Hillary] Clinton unveiled her [health care] plan as Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said President Bush wants to achieve universal health care before he leaves office.

Yet Mr. Universal Health Care Bush may soon reject the opportunity to ensure millions of uninsured children have access to health care. (And there’s little doubt Bush’s ideas for reform would enrich the big insurance companies.)

As Congress closes in on a deal to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $35 billion, Bush’s signature on the bill would mean more than 3 million children from low-income families would gain access to health care.

But as the same USA Today article points out, Leavitt reiterated the administration’s threat to kill the legislation:

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