By reviewing reports required by the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the investigators found that health care lobbying expenditures totaled $237 million in the year 2000. This was more than the lobbying expenditures of every other industry, including agriculture, communications, and defense. This high level of lobbying expenditures highlights the importance of health care issues to a broad range of interest groups.
Among health care organizations, drug companies spent the most on lobbying, $96 million, followed by physicians and other health professionals, $46 million. Hospitals and nursing homes spent $40 million while health insurance and managed care organizations spent $31 million. Disease advocacy and public health organizations spent only $12 million.
From 1997 to 2000, lobbying by physicians and other health professionals grew more slowly than lobbying by other organizations (10 percent vs. 32 percent). According to the study's author, Steven Landers, M.D., M.P.H., of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, this finding may indicate a decline in the political influence of physicians compared to other health care organizations such as drug companies.
"The input of physicians is essential at a time of growing concern and debate about the cost of prescription drugs, the influence of pharmaceutical marketing on patients and physicians, and access to health care for the uninsured," said Landers.
"In a previous study, legislators said they want more input from physicians about public health issues. Physicians should use the credibility they have with the public and with legislators to offset the deep pockets of drug companies,"
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Contact: George Stamatis
George.Stamatis@case.edu
216-368-3635
Case Western Reserve University
26-Mar-2004