Health care interests spent $445 million on federal lobbying in 2007 -- more than any other sector of the economy -- to finish as the top spender for the second consecutive year, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, CQ HealthBeat reports. A more specific breakdown of 20 industries that spent the most on lobbying in 2007, pharmaceutical and medical products companies rank first with $227 million in spending, while health insurance companies spent the second-most at $138 million. Hospitals and nursing homes spent $91 million, ranking fifth; while health professionals spent $70 million, ranking 15th; and HMOs/health services spent $52 million, ranking 19th.

Among specific organizations or companies, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spent the third-most at $22.1 million, the American Medical Association spent the fourth-most at $22.1 million and the American Hospital Association was fifth, spending $19.7 million. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent the most of any organization ($53 million), followed by General Electric ($23.6 million).

According to the CRP, the pharmaceutical industry has spent $1.3 billion on federal lobbying in the last decade, more than any other industry. In addition, the drug industry's reported lobbying increased by 25% from 2006 to 2007. Lobbying firm Patton Boggs, whose clients include Bristol-Myers Squibb and Hoffman-La Roche, reported $41.9 million in 2007 revenue -- an increase of 20% over 2006 -- and the most among Washington, D.C.-area firms (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 4/14).

Overall, corporations, labor unions and others spent $2.79 billion on lobbying in 2007, up 7.7% from 2006, the CRP data show.

Amgen 'Stands Out'
The Washington Post's "In The Loop" column on Tuesday looked at lobbying spending by Amgen. The company spent $16.3 million on federal lobbying in 2007 -- a $6 million increase, or 58%, over 2006 -- and ranked "an eye-catching No. 9" among the highest-spending companies. According to the company's filings, it had more than 150 lobbyists on call.

According to the Post, Amgen has hired "just about every big name in town" and has "retained lots of former high-level congressional staffers" for its lobbying efforts. The Post reports that the company "said it had so many issues on its plate that it had no choice but to spend lavishly." David Beier, Amgen's head lobbyist and previously the chief domestic policy adviser to former Vice President Al Gore (D), said, "Amgen is a leading biotechnology firm and is highly regulated; we face a lot of legislative and regulatory issues," adding, "We resourced our advocacy to match our challenges" (Birnbaum, Washington Post, 4/15).

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