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Brown, Boehner get big money from health sector

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By Jessica Wehrman, Staff Writer Updated 10:51 PM Saturday, August 29, 2009

WASHINGTON — As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Sen. Sherrod Brown often rails against the insurance industry and pharmaceuticals for the money they’ve used to influence the process.

But Brown, a Democrat who spent years on House Health subcommittee before being elected to the U.S. Senate, leads all other Ohio members in receiving campaign money from the health sector, according to an analysis of campaign contributions by the Center for Responsive Politics.

In all, Brown has received $2.7 million from the health care sector since 1989, according to a study of campaign contributions by the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign cash watchdog. The bulk of it — $1.9 million — is from health professionals, including doctors and nurses.

He’s also received $72,600 from the health insurance industry and $302,154 from pharmaceuticals.

“Senator Brown has a long track record of leadership on health care issues,” said his spokeswoman, Meghan Dubyak. “While not everyone has supported his efforts to drive down the costs of drugs and insurance for middle class Ohioans, he has been able to win the support of many doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who share his goal of providing secure, affordable, and high-quality health care to all Americans.”

Brown was the 11th highest recipient of health care related campaign contributions in the Congress, according to the Center’s breakdown.

In the House, Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester, received $2 million from the health sector since 1989. That includes $641,480 from pharmaceuticals and $779,710 from the health insurance industry. He received $690,587 from health professionals, according to the center’s study.

Boehner, who is leading the Republican charge against Democratic health care proposals, has collected more money from health insurers than all current members of Congress, according to the center.

“Congressman Boehner supports reforms that lower health care costs without raising taxes or forcing Americans into a government-run plan, “ said Don Seymour, a Boehner spokesman. “And he isn’t afraid to call out those who make short-sighted deals with the Administration that accommodate Washington at the expense of the American people.”

The money both lawmakers have received is only one indication of a crush of money that all sides have thrown at this debate, said Dave Levinthal, a spokesman for the Center.

It’s not just going toward lobbying. So far, groups interested in the health care debate have spent $57 million on television ads nationally, said Evan Tracey of the Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks campaign advertising. They’ve spent $1.8 million in Ohio alone.

Levinthal said the pharmaceutical and health products industry spent a whopping $134 million in lobbying just in the first two quarters of 2009 — more than the total lobbying effort for oil and gas, insurance and electric utilities.

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