Healthcare hiring insiders to lobby

WASHINGTON, July 6 (UPI) -- Three of every four major U.S. healthcare firms have at least one former Washington insider on their lobbying payroll, a Washington Post analysis indicates.

Nearly half of the insiders-turned-lobbyists worked for the key committees and lawmakers debating whether to include a public insurance option -- opposed by major industry groups -- in a proposed overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, the analysis released Monday indicated.

The presence of the former wheelers and dealers is part of the healthcare industry's record-breaking effort, tabbed at more than $1.4 million a day, on lobbying the overhaul, disclosure records indicated. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America doubled its spending to nearly $7 million in the first quarter of 2009, followed by Pfizer, with more than $6 million, the Post reported.

"For people like me who are on the outside and used to be on the inside, this is great, because there is a level of trust in these relationships, and I know the policy rationale that is required," said Richard Tarplin, an ex-employee of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Senate now representing the American Medical Association.

Public interest groups and reform advocates however, say the influx of former government aides illustrates problems posed by the "revolving door" between government and private firms.

"The revolving door offers a short cut to a member of Congress to the highest bidder," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, which compiled some of the data the Post used in its analysis.

The Post examined federal disclosure reports submitted by healthcare firms spending more than $100,000 for lobbying in the first quarter of 2009. The analysis identified more than 350 former government aides representing an average of four firms or trade groups.