Drug companies spent more than $200 million in lobbying in 2008
Posted on January 12th, 2009 by Jason Rosenbaum in Profits Before People
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Open Secrets has the shocking figure:
Most industry players this year will be fighting off increased regulation and may oppose a requirement that drug companies disclose all of their gifts and payments to doctors. They'll also be trying to prevent the FDA from being able to ban direct-to-consumer advertising for new drugs. The pharmaceutical industry has been sending representatives to knock on Congress member's doors, spending $171.7 million on lobbying in the first nine months of 2008. When the year-end lobbying reports come in for 2008 on Jan. 20, they will likely show that the industry spent more in '08 than the $225.9 million it spent the year prior.
And that's not even including campaign donations.
And the health sector is weighing in even more heavily, well over $300 million:
The health sector as a whole could find this a year of many changes, and doctors, nurses, insurance companies and hospital execs are also making sure they're heard on Capitol Hill. The health sector spent $150 million on campaign contributions in the 2008 election cycle, more than the $123.7 million it spent in 2003 and 2004. It spent $365.1 million on lobbying in the first three quarters of 2008.
As Open Secrets explains, that money, once given primarily to Republicans, is now tilting towards Democrats. Of course, this isn't a surprising development. Corporations are inherently conservative bodies - they like the status quo and they want as much influence with whoever is in power as possible.
However, these numbers do give you an idea of what we're up against. Though the drug and insurance industries have been making noises about "supporting" Obama/Health Care for America Now-style reform this time around, I have serious doubts. Obama's proposals would certainly end their monopolies and cut into their profits by forcing them to compete on a level playing field with a public plan. And let's not forget that these companies, packed with ideological conservatives, will no doubt view health care reform as the death knell for the Republican party, a la Bill Kristol in 1993.
As this campaign goes on, we'll be doing our best to follow the money and make sure the public understands what drug and insurance companies are doing on Capitol Hill. But no matter how much transparency we bring to the table, $300 million is a lot of money to fight.
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