Health Care Sector Tops Lobbying Spending
Since 1999, the health care industry has spent more than any other section on federal lobbying efforts, a study from the independent research group Political Money Line found. CongressDaily/AM reports that in the last six-months of 2000, the industry spent $123.3 million on federal lobbying (CongressDaily/AM, 9/26). This is up $16.5 million from the $106.8 million the industry spent in the previous six month period (Political Money Line release, 9/25). Within the health care sector, the pharmaceutical industry spent the most, "laying out" $44.6 million between June and December 2000 (CongressDaily/AM, 9/26). During that time period, Schering-Plough Corp. spent $3.7 million, while the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America spent $3.5 million. Abbott Laboratories finished third among pharmaceutical organizations at $3 million (Political Money Line release, 9/25). By comparison, the communications and technology sector finished second in lobbying expenses at $113 million. Overall, federal lobbying in the second half of 2000 totaled $831 million, an increase of 9% from the first half of the year (CongressDaily/AM, 9/26).
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