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Had any commentator predicted in 1994 that the health care industry would one day be an important financial contributor to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, that person would have been laughed out of the commentariat.
After the fall of Hillarycare, everyone assumed that Mrs. Clinton and “the health care industrial complex” would be sworn enemies until one or the other prevailed in the final battle between good and evil. Well, the times they are achanging.
This chart comes from The Center for Responsive Politics, which shows Hillary on the receiving end of more money from the health care industry than any other Presidential candidate. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of where her $3.6 million came from:
Health Professionals: $2,331,527
Hospitals/Nursing Homes: $520,631
Pharmaceutical/Health Products: $349,270
Health Services/HMO: $326,456
Misc Health: $142,743
So, what’s behind this phenomenon? Is it a case of Stockholm Syndrome? Or is the health care industry betting that Hillary is really the candidate of the status quo?
2 comments
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+ May 2007
February 13th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Contributions to campaigns tend to follow the same rules as most human relationships. You try to influence (buy) those who are perceived as a likely threat to your interests. Those that have little influence and are not a threat, can normally be ignored or neglected. To draw the conclusion that the industry is in bed with her with the sole intent of making them millions is misleading or naive. They are hedging their bets.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
This is a surprise? There is so much waste in this present system, they can buy a Congress or a President. Bet on it!