Overall, the entire health industry spent early $445 million on lobbying in 2007.
Since 1990, Big Pharma has made about $152 million in campaign contributions to candidates for federal office. (Health services and HMOs have given nearly $54 million since 1990.)
Big Insurance (which obviously covers more than health-related insurance) spent about $138 million on lobbying in 2007 and more than $1 billion since 1998. Since 1990, Big Insurance has made more than $287 million in campaign contributions.
What a frickin’ mess. Industries have carved out new social policy. So we ought to be asking some basic questions:
What is the priority of Big Pharma? How does that priority fit into social policy as articulated by the legislative and executive branches of government?
What is the priority of Big Insurance? How does that priority fit into social policy as articulated by the legislative and executive branches of government?
TVNL Comment: America the beautiful; the "greatest nation in the world". "God bless America". If there is a god would he bless this vile nation that plces money above all?