Health Care Reform Lobbyist Windfall

In 2009, more than $1.2 billion was spent on lobbying related to health care reform.

More than 1,750 businesses and organizations hired 4,525 lobbyists—8 for each member of Congress. (The Center for Public Integrity) 

It accounted for more than 1/3 of the total of $3.47 billion spent on lobbying for all issues (Center for Responsive Politics) and set a new record for the amount spent on a single issue.

Lobbying organizations included 745 trade, advocacy and professional groups, 207 hospitals, 105 insurance companies and 85 manufacturing companies. (For a detailed database of lobbying expenses, visit www.publicintegrity.org/articles/entry/1953)

The expenditure is understandable given the amount of money at stake. But imagine how many people we could have helped in 2009 if we spent the $1.2 billion directly on health care.

— Tom DeSanto

Image: jsoares from worth1000.com