Public insurance opponents massively outspending supporters

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Recent polls have shown that a broad majority of Americans favor a "public option" for health insurance. Yet public opinion may not be as powerful a force as the lobbying efforts of industries seeking to protect the status quo. Consumer groups that favor President Obama's proposals to lower costs and expand coverage are being decidedly outspent and out-lobbied by drug manufacturers, insurers, HMOS and doctors' associations.

In the first three months of 2009, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has spent more money on lobbying since 1998 than any other company, trade association, or advocacy group, and the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America (PhARMA)--the No. 6 all-time spender--paid lobbyists a combined $22.5 million to promote their interests.

Meanwhile, prominent champions of the public insurance option spend very little on lobbying or campaign contributions. Families USA, a self-described consumer watchdog dedicated to health care issues, for example, has spent a mere $10,000 on lobbying this year and only $32,000 total in 2008. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), a national network that unites doctors' associations, consumer groups and other activists, spent $80,000 last year. And the National Health Council (NHC), which has remained mum on this issue but supported putting pressure on insurers to cover pre-existing illnesses, has not spent any money on lobbying since 2007.

...

"We are not intimidated," said Kevin Cain, assistant vice president for government relations and programs at NHC. "We have 130 million Americans who have chronic diseases. That's a pretty good lobbying force. As well as the millions who are uninsured. Everyone is at the table this time."

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/07/co...ident-of-s.html

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I just did some quick checking, and the push is on to get this story out in time for the weekend's news shows. Friday night dump, they call it, on a holiday weekend. Let's see what the reponse is before we start hanging our hats on this poll.