Since 2006, the Health Sector Has Spent More Money on Lobbying Than Any Other Sector of the Economy

Robert Steinbrook, M.D. in article "Campaign Contributions, Lobbying, and the U.S. Health Sector — An Update" The New England Journal of Medicine Volume 359:1313-1315 September 25, 2008 Number 13 Since 2006, the health sector has spent more money on lobbying than any other sector of the economy. Updated statistics for 2006 show that the health sector spent $379.8 million to lobby the federal government, about $5 million more than the finance, insurance, and real estate sector and about $28 million more than was previously reported. In 2007, the health sector spent $450.7 million, nearly a 20% increase from the amount in 2006 and about $35 million more than was spent by the financial sector. Within the health sector, manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, and other health care products spend the most and have increased their spending more rapidly than other health care industries.