News
MapLight research on the influence of money and politics.
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March 10, 2010
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February 22, 2010
February 25, 2010 - In September 2009, the California State Legislature passed a bill that prevents health insurers from rescinding policies for any reason, after the first 24 months of coverage. For the Senate floor vote, those voting with the health insurance industry received on average $13,195 from the three main opponents of the bill, Association of California Life & Health Insurance Companies, California Association of Health Plans and California Association of Health Underwriters, in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles.
Emily Calhoun
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December 16, 2009
December 16, 2009 - On December 15 the Senate voted against the importation of prescription drugs, 51-48. Offered by Sen Byron Dorgan (D-ND) as an amendment to the health care reform bill, the provision would pave the way for market access to cheaper prescription drugs, by relaxing restrictions on imports from Canada and other highly-developed countries. In a bipartisan effort rarely seen in recent votes on health care reform, 30 Democrats sided with 17 Republicans and one Independent to kill the bill.
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December 15, 2009
December 15, 2009 - MAPLight.org reported yesterday that the public health care option died in the Senate, replaced by a compromise provision that would allow those aged 55-64 to purchase Medicare. Hours later, the Medicare buy-in compromise was also rejected, under pressure from Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT). Over the past six years Lieberman has received $114,900 in campaign contributions from health insurers and HMOs, which places him among the top 10 Senate recipients.
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December 14, 2009
December 14, 2009 - The health care industry’s multi-million dollar investment in the Senate seems to be paying off, as the proposals for a publicly funded health insurance option are continually weakened.The evolution of negotiations for a public option included in the health care reform bill are well-documented. Beginning with a robust proposal as introduced in the House—leveraging bulk purchasing power to achieve low rates—the compromise version that passed included negotiated rates, which could result in higher premiums than the average private insurance plan.
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November 19, 2009
November 19, 2009 - The House Financial Services Committee voted yesterday to give regulators the authority to break up large financial firms that create too much systemic risk, in an effort to prevent future financial crises. The vote passed by a 38-29 margin, but three Democrats joined with all Republicans voting no. Those three Democrats--Melissa Bean (D-IL), Dan Maffei (D-NY), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY)--received an average of $99,483 from banks' PACs in the last two years, 119% more than the average of $45,358 received by the 38 Democrats voting for tougher regulation.
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November 05, 2009
November 4, 2009 - The House Financial Services Committee marked up and voted on the Consumer Financial Protection Act (H.R. 3126) in late October. Roll call votes on the bill were largely along party lines, with the exception of Amendment #24, sponsored by Rep. John Campbell [R-CA] and Rep. Bill Posey [R-FL], where 19 Democrats broke party lines to vote with 28 Republicans to exclude auto dealers from oversight by the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA).