http://www.afscmeblog.org/2009/07/08/1-point-4-million-dollars-per-day/?__utma=1.2346843193277722000.1237762290.1247010996.1247187327.44&__utmb=1.1.10.1247187327&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1246579580.41.13.utmcsr=unionplus.org|utmccn=(referral)|utmcmd=referral|utmcct=/&__utmv=-&__utmk=123756554
July 8th, 2009
Think Progress points to this story from the Washington Post about the massive amount of money being spent to block health care reform:
The health care industry is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying against President Obama’s health care reform effort. As part of this “record-breaking influence campaign,” the nation’s “largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress” to lobby Capitol Hill “in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues” on health care legislation.
More from the Post article:
The hirings are part of a record-breaking influence campaign by the health-care industry, which is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying in the current fight, according to disclosure records. And even in a city where lobbying is a part of life, the scale of the effort has drawn attention. For example, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) doubled its spending to nearly $7 million in the first quarter of 2009, followed by Pfizer, with more than $6 million.
“Influencing” is a euphemism for killing any meaningful reform in the legislation and keeping the status quo. We’re not about to let that happen. Real health care reform means:
* Coverage we can afford;
* Comprehensive benefits we can count on;
* Choice of a private or public health insurance plan;
* No taxation of health care benefits; and
* Equal access to quality care.
Counter the influence of the health care industry by calling the Senate right now. We make it easy for you: just give us your phone number and we’ll patch you through directly. (Click the link to take action)