Lobbyists Cash In on Health Reform

WASHINGTON — While patients, taxpayers and lawmakers
debate the impact of the new health care reform law, it’s clear the
epic battle was a “bonanza” for K Street lobbyists, according to
the Center for Public Integrity. The group released a report last
week that said approximately 1,750 businesses and organizations
hired 4,525 lobbyists — about eight for each member of
Congress — and spent at least $1.2 billion to influence
health reform.

The clients that hired lobbyists ranged from influential
industry associations to small non-profit advocacy groups, the
report said, and some of them hired more than one. Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America, for example, hired 25
outside firms in addition to its own in-house lobbyists. Wal-Mart
hired four top lobbying firms.

“I think it is unprecedented,” Washington attorney and lobbying
expert Ken Gross said about the amount of money spent on the health
reform battle. “First of all, it went on for so long,” Gross said.
“Second of all, it was high-stakes poker. It stands to reason that
it would be a record-breaker.”