$600 million spent to influence health care debate - health care appliances

Health care reform has become by far the most expensive single legislative issue.
Spending $0. 6 billion on lobbying, campaign donations and television commercials. WASHINGTON (CNNMoney. com)--
The price affecting the health care debate in Congress Hall has exceeded $0. 6 billion and is rapidly becoming a factor in breaking the legislative record.
Beyond half-
Billion mark, the total amount used for lobbyists, TV commercials and political donations is enough to cover the insurance costs of about 45,000 households per year.
The third of these expenditures, $0. 2 billion, have been raised and spent in the past few months, as Congress has been more thorough in its policy debate on public insurance options and taxpayers
Funded Abortion
Senate Democrats are expected to announce their official health care bill on Wednesday and debate in December and vote before the end of the year.
From pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and physician groups to organizations that advocate unions, immigration and retirees, there is a lot of spending.
Lobbying: lobbying continues to account for the largest share, with spending in the health care industry less than $0. 4 billion as of October.
26. respond to the political center.
"The health sector is stepping up spending more than ever before," said Dave Levin of the political center, who analyzed and collected data on lobbying and campaign spending.
"Its spending is far from the total in previous years.
"Executives in the health industry say their spending is necessary given the relationship of interest.
This is also guaranteed by the Constitution.
We are reforming one.
Robert Zirkelbach, spokesman for the US health insurance program, said: "This is the sixth issue of the economy, affecting every individual and employer in the country . " The plan is a group opposed to public insurance options.
"This is sometimes overlooked in this debate.
"The lobbying of pharmaceutical companies accounts for nearly half of all health sector lobbying.
In other issues, the pharmaceutical industry is keen to ensure that the government does not start allowing cheaper prescriptions to be imported from Canada or Mexico.
"We are doing everything possible to achieve comprehensive health care reform," said Ken Johnson, senior vice president of PhRMA, a trading group . ".
"It will benefit the patient and the economy and the future of our country.
There are many dangers now.
"Lobbying figures do not include lobbying by the Chamber of Commerce ($65 million)or AARP ($15 million)
Groups lobbying on health care and other bills, including financial regulatory reforms.
Other important figures lobbying by the Health Department include hospitals and nursing homes ($77 million)
Doctors and other health professionals ($59 million).
TV advertising: healthcare interests spending on TV advertising is the next major record
Broken class-topping $165.
According to the Campaign Media Analysis team, 7 million to Monday.
"This is the most expensive time we 've seen," said Evan Tracy, chairman of the media research group, which also advises CNN.
"Of course, none of the comparisons are correct.
"In the past month, opponents have spent $23 million on advertising against health care reform, and supporters have spent $11 million.
Television ads pay more attention to policy issues, such as requiring insurance for tests to detect autism.
But now ads are turning to politics, attacking lawmakers who vote for or oppose health care reform.
That means in the coming months, as advertising starts to run in the media market, Congressional Competition is fierce, Tracey said.
Campaign contributions: political contributions are also increasing.
According to the response political center, health care professionals and companies have invested $38 million to fund 2010 Federal office candidates.
Around $95 million was raised in the 2008 cycle.
Health professionals ($13 million), drug makers ($5 million)
Hospitals and nursing homes ($4 million).
The most popular is Senate Majority Leader Reid. Nev. , Sen.
D-Charles SchumerN. Y. , and Sen.
Richard BurrN. C. -
Ted Barrett of CNN contributed to the report.