Health Care Industry Donates More To Obama Than GOP Candidates

President Barack Obama has raised more money from the health care industry than Republican candidates, according to an analysis conducted by the Center For Responsive Politics published in National Journal.

Obama has raised $1.6 million from the health sector, more than the $920,000 raised by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and the $494,000 raised by Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Pharmaceutical companies gave Obama $230,000 versus $161,000 for Romney and $43,000 for Perry.

Drug companies won more protections for brand-name drugs against cheaper drugs in Obama's health care reform law. Proposals to have Medicare negotiate drug prices and to allow importation of drugs from Canada did not make it into the final bill. An estimated 32 million new Americans with insurance also means more business for pharmaceutical companies.

America's Health Insurance Plans, the trade association representing the health insurance industry, initially appeared amenable to health care reform. The trade group finally opposed the bill in March 2010, despite the inclusion of an individual mandate requiring individuals to carry insurance or face fines. Insurers gave the Chamber of Commerce over $86 million to oppose the law.

CRP adds that individuals within the health insurance industry gave $111,000 to Romney and $91,000 to Obama this year. The Massachusetts health care law Romney signed as governor contained an individual mandate as well. Romney says he will repeal the health care law the president signed.

Comments

[CanadjunBeef]

04:01 AM on 10/29/2011

Besides skimming 20 cents of every health care dollar, private health insurance buries providers in paperwork. That is the system Obama is not only protecting, but enlarging, with his Romney-style reforms.

[FiscalConservativesUnite]

10:23 PM on 10/28/2011

2012 - Repeal obamacare now.

[CanadjunBeef]

04:01 AM on 10/29/2011

Yes, replace it with single-payer, public insurance.

[buckbanter44]

08:48 PM on 10/28/2011

so, Obama is $100,000 ahead of gop contributions. that's pathetic for a 3 yr sitting president.

[annyp]

02:29 PM on 10/28/2011

As long as money can buy elections, nothing will change. Does anyone expect the President to turn down donations for his campaign just because we don't happen to like the donor? We all know whoever has the most money has the greatest chance of winning. These campaigns have to go back to public financing, like they used to be at one time, for we the people. And no, corporations are not people.

[hey- einstein]

11:20 AM on 10/28/2011

He should roll in health providers and Rx donations..he let them write the health care law so there would not be a public option and ignored the Senators being bought off. The law doesn't even get started for years.

[Clevelandinwi]

11:02 AM on 10/28/2011

AHIP (American Health Insurance Plans) would not exist in a country that showed any common sense at all.

[duey35]

10:18 AM on 10/28/2011

See how it works ! If you give them a free pass to screw the public Like Obamacare and RomneyMass health to get paid. this is all a payoff for giving them free reign to charge what ever they want.

[Hiker54]

10:07 AM on 10/28/2011

More donations always go to those they think will be in office. If they thought Romney was going to win, he'd be getting the lion's share.

Doesn't bode well for Reps.

[08Voter]

10:55 AM on 10/28/2011

Keep telling yourself that. Obamacare is the reason for this kickback. Who are you trying to kid? Wake up.

[Hiker54]

11:23 AM on 10/28/2011

Wake up? You need to try some of your own medicine. (yes, pun intended)

It's not just health industry. Oil, energy, Wall Street, banks, insurance. Almost all industries contribute to both sides. As the political winds shift, so do the donations. But just the percentages. Check it out. They're not stupid.

[08Voter]

10:00 AM on 10/28/2011

Why shouldn't they? He delivered American citizens to them on a silver platter. He should be ashamed of himself. I regret my vote for this _clown.

[pbr56]

05:28 PM on 10/28/2011

To call this obamacare is kind of strange. If it were truly obamacare, we would all have single payer right now and not have to worry about health insurance companies robbing us blind any more.

[vallesula]

09:50 AM on 10/28/2011

Obama Care WITH an Option Plan WAS the way to go, but by allowing Max Bockus (D. Sen -Montana) to gut the plan, Obama-Care not only $uck$, but it played right into the hands of the Insurance Industry- it gave them some 33 million additional customers.

So now, if the Insurance Industry is heavily donating for his re-election , this donation IS how those placing their bids reward politiciand for tiltingbills in their favor.

No !, I don't fault the greedy, but I WILL criticize the needy for falling asleep at the switch, said nothing and did nothing while this fleecing of our people was going down.

Without the Option Plan, Obama-Care $uck$ and is a rip-off to us seniors.

[vallesula]

09:45 AM on 10/28/2011

People, think of the words in the headlines, the think of Obama-Care and who it benefits MOST !!!.

Ofcourse they love him cuz, he's INCREASED their income by getting them more customers with his GUTTED plan.

It should come as no surprise to anyone if they also donate rather heavily for the re-election of that fellow from Montana that wears the uniform of Democrats and answers to the name Max Bockuss

[Periwinkle]

07:19 AM on 10/28/2011

It's obvious why. They want to stay in his good graces because he's headed for a second term. Maybe, just maybe, Obama will turn into a Democrat during the next 4 years and tell big insurance and big pharma to take a hike.

[khandoor1]

08:01 AM on 10/28/2011

Thanks for the morning laugh

[chloebe]

06:47 AM on 10/28/2011

and who's the corporate lapdog?

[hammhome]

03:36 AM on 10/28/2011

Yeah! more campaign dollars to Obama......Obama and gang sold out right from the beginning. HA! Why are we celebrating this? What exactly are we crowing about here?.......big hospitals, big insurance, big pharma and AARP gave BIG WET KISSES to Obama, Reid and Palosi right from the beginning. Of course they continue to give campaign money......they already got their deal.

[John Derrick]

01:40 AM on 10/28/2011

A healthcare bill without Tort Reform and transparent Insurance and Pharma Rates simply doesn't fix what is currently broken. Regardless of what form of healthcare coverage is promoted, there will be problems until the above key issues are reformed. Washington is not inclinded to resolving the legal, insurance and drug greed because these three business sectors lobby your politicians the most. Washington isn't going to bite the hand that feeds it, now will they? This is why we need serious "turnover" in Washington. The old "crooks" (anyone serving more than 2 to 3 terms) need to be weeded-out before America ever sees true entitlement stability!