Hidden ‘Bundles’ of Lobbyist Giving Show Full Court Press by Health Care Donors

[Triana]

READERS: DON'T MISS the HUGE "Baucus Wheel of Fortune" linked below. It's VERY telling. NOT surprising. But - telling.
_ _ _ _ _

Sunlight and the Center for Responsive Politics have teamed up on a collaborative investigative project that shows never-before-seen “contribution clusters” from outside lobbyists and their health care industry clients to key members of Congress.

http://assets.sunlightfoundation.com/images/blog/infographics/finance_committee/baucus_wheel.html">Baucus Wheel of Fortune (Health Care)

We found that Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee and author of the main health care reform bill now being debated in the Senate, was one of the biggest beneficiaries of this one-two punch from lobbyists and the interests they represent. Between January 2007 and July 2009 (the period we studied), Baucus collected contributions from 37 outside lobbyists representing PhRMA, the pharmaceutical industry’s chief trade association, and from 36 lobbyists who listed drug maker Amgen Inc. among their clients.

In all, 11 major health and insurance firms had their contributions to Baucus boosted through extra donations from 10 or more of their outside lobbyists. (See our visualization and the full list from CRP.)

Nor was Baucus alone—other members also received contributions from the employees, their family members and political action committees of health care firms and from the outside lobbyists that represented them. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., collected lobbyist “bundles” from 14 major health care organizations. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., actually led the list, with 22 organizations—though much of that money was directed at his presidential campaign last year. (see the full list.)

MORE...


http://blog.sunlightfoundation.com/2009/10/01/hidden-%E2%80%98bundles%E2%80%99-of-lobbyist-giving-show-full-court-press-by-health-care-donors/

[leftstreet]

1. Patience on reform means MORE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION$

$$$$$

[AndyA]

2. Can you say

HUGE
CONFLICT
OF
INTEREST

Is it any wonder the American people keep getting stiffed?

THESE PEOPLE MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE. THEY ARE DOMESTIC TERRORISTS!

[Triana]

3. I call 'em mercenaries though not sure the moniker fits.

That's what I think of when I think of for-profit "health care" companies though. They're essentially killing people for profit.