Congress scrutinized for payor, pharma donations
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Payors contributed $2.2 million to the top 10 members of the U.S. Senate and House, while drugmakers contributed $3.3 million to the top 10 recipients in each legislative body. In all, health insurers and drug manufacturers contributed approximately $24.22 million to the current members of Congress in the last two election cycles.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who has become the leading congressional advocate for healthcare reform, received more campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries than any other current Democratic member of the House or Senate. Baucus received $183,750 from health insurance companies and $229,020 from drug companies, according to the consumer group.
At the March 5 White House summit on healthcare reform, Baucus said that the insurance companies and drug companies had told him they would help drive a solution. Baucus's plan would require every American to show proof of insurance, with those who do not receive coverage from an employer or are not in Medicaid or Medicare forced to buy a private health insurance policy. Under his plan, failure to show proof of insurance would result in tax fines.
"HMO and drug company money will sour the President's plan for affordable, accessible healthcare if these industries' backers on Capitol Hill allow their financial interests to drive the debate," said Carmen Balber, director of consumer Watchdog's Washington D.C. office.
Consumer Watchdog said its analysis ranks industry contributions to members of the 111th Congress in the House and Senate--totals for former Sens. Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and President Barack Obama are not included in the rankings.
| Top 10 Senate Recipients of Health Insurer Money | Top 10 House Recipients of Health Insurer Money | ||
| Senator | Amount | Representative | Amount |
| McCain, John (R-AZ) | $251,834 | Cantor, Eric (R-VA) | $113,850 |
| McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) | $200,200 | Camp, Dave (R-MI) | $112,923 |
| Baucus, Max (D-MT) | $183,750 | Pomeroy, Earl (D-ND) | $104,500 |
| Lieberman, Joe (I-CT) | $101,400 | Boehner, John (R-OH) | $101,200 |
| Chambliss, Saxby (R-GA) | $98,600 | Deal, Nathan (R-GA) | $100,000 |
| Collins, Susan (R-ME) | $96,500 | Towns, Edolphus (D-NY) | $87,750 |
| Kyl, Jon (R-AZ) | $90,450 | Rogers, Mike (R-AL) | $74,000 |
| Warner, Mark (D-VA) | $89,700 | Blunt, Roy (R-MO) | $72,800 |
| Hatch, Orrin (R-UT) | $85,903 | Ryan, Paul (R-WI) | $69,000 |
| Nelson, Ben (D-NE) | $83,300 | Tanner, John (D-TN) | $68,500 |
| Top 10 Senate Recipients of Drug Company Money | Top 10 House Recipients of Drug Company Money | ||
| Senator | Amount | Representative | Amount |
| McCain, John (R-AZ) | $294,603 | Barton, Joe (R-TX) | $187,100 |
| Baucus, Max (D-MT) | $229,020 | Dingell, John (D-MI) | $180,300 |
| McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) | $225,200 | Boehner, John (R-OH) | $156,125 |
| Lieberman, Joe (I-CT) | $196,540 | Frelinghuysen, Rodney (D-NJ) | $152,850 |
| Hatch, Orrin (R-UT) | $186,900 | Clyburn, James (D-SC) | $145,514 |
| Spectre, Arlen (R-PA) | $179,650 | Buyer, Steve (R-IN) | $141,350 |
| Mendez, Robert (D-NJ) | $147,243 | Cantor, Eric (R-VA) | $135,600 |
| Enzi, Mike (R-WY) | $134,500 | Rogers, Mike (R-AL) | $133,946 |
| Kyl, Jon (R-AZ) | $118,350 | Blunt, Roy (R-MO) | $133,500 |
| Cornyn, John (R-TX) | $115,900 | Gerlach, Jim (R-PA) | $131,660 |