Lobbyists took in $7.5m on (Massachusetts) health bill

Lobbyists took in $7.5m on health bill

Lobbyists for hospitals, insurance companies, and other major players in the healthcare industry were paid at least $7.5 million in 2005 as the Legislature took up a major healthcare bill, records show.

Big spenders include Eli Lilly and Co., the pharmaceutical giant, which spent $299,000; Massachusetts Hospital Association, which spent $263,000; Massachusetts Association of Health Plans, which spent $208,000; and Partners HealthCare System, which spent $206,000, according to public records on lobbying activity filed with the secretary of state's office.

The amount spent on healthcare lobbying in 2005 is up more than a third over 2004 and far outstrips what was spent on another industry -- gambling and casinos -- at the heart of an intense slot machine debate playing out on Beacon Hill. Supporters and opponents of expanding gambling paid about $871,000 in 2005.

The House and Senate both passed the healthcare bill overwhelmingly yesterday, sending it to Governor Mitt Romney, who is expected to sign the bill, though he may veto some components of it.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/04/05/lobbyists_took_in_75m_on_health_bill/

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