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Health industry has given more to bill opponents
Sunday, November 15, 2009 6:19 AM
DispatchPolitics
Lawmakers who voted against the House health-care bill have received more campaign cash over the years from the health industry than supporters of the legislation have, a study finds. The nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics said opponents -- all but one of 177 House Republicans, plus 39 Democrats -- got an average of $501,650 from the health industry, including health-insurance companies' political-action committees and employees, since 1989. By contrast, supporters -- 219 House Democrats and GOP Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana -- have gotten an average of $437,000, or 15 percent less. In Ohio, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, is the top recipient, getting more than $2 million from the health industry; more than $781,000 of that came from insurance companies' political-action committees and employees. Coming in second among Ohioans is Rep. Pat Tiberi, with $768,540 overall from the health sector, including $178,800 from insurance interests, the center said. Tiberi and other Republicans maintain that the bill is fiscally irresponsible and that a government-run insurance plan option -- fiercely opposed by the insurance industry -- will lead to an overall government-run healthcare system. Two Ohio Democrats voted against the bill: Reps. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland and John Boccieri of Alliance. Kucinich has received $370,829 from the health industry; $242,790 of that was health-care professionals. Kucinich said he voted no because he wants more, not less, government involvement in health care and insurance coverage. Boccieri, a freshman, said he voted no because of the cost of the $1.2 trillion bill. Boccieri has received $107,890 from health-industry interests, including $6,500 from insurance companies' PACs and employees, $12,800 from pharmaceutical companies' PACs and employees and $37,700 from health professionals. Story toolsToday’s Top Stories
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