Calif. Health Care Groups Spent $8.2M on Lobbying in Q1 2015
During the first quarter of 2015, California health care organizations spent about $8.2 million on lobbying efforts, according to data from the California Secretary of State, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Details of Spending
According to the data, spending in Q1 2015 was led by:
- The California Hospital Association, with $593,369;
- Kaiser Permanente, with $586,157; and
- The California Medical Association, with $466,075.
In comparison, other groups -- such as the California Association of Health Plans, the California Dental Association and the California Optometric Association -- spent less than $200,000 each.
According to the Business Journal, the top legislative issues for spending so far this year have been related to:
- Medi-Cal spending;
- Scope of practice;
- Specialty prescription drug costs; and
- Vaccination requirements.
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.
Spending in Q1 2015 was down slightly from $9.2 million during the same time last year.
However, spending likely will increase during the second half of the legislative session as bills regarding these issues approach their deadlines, according to the Business Journal.
Comments
Kaiser spokesperson Amy Thoma said that the group's spending was so high because it has a health plan, a hospital system and a care delivery organization. She said, "Kaiser Permanente engages in a much broader range of policy and legislative issues than any other health care entity in California."
Meanwhile, CHA spokesperson Jan Emerson-Shea said, "Our lobby money is primarily staff salaries" (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 5/5).
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