The nation's health insurance companies have ramped up their lobbying as the battle over reshaping the health care system has escalated.
America's Health Insurance Plans reported spending $2.4 million during July, August and September. That's up from $1.9 million during the year's second quarter and $2 million in the first three months of 2009.
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, some drug companies are also lobbying more. Pfizer has spent $16.3 million lobbying so far this year and Amgen $9.2 million. That's significantly more than both spent a year earlier.
AARP, which represents older Americans, reported spending $15.1 million lobbying this year — down about one-third from the first nine months of 2008.
Copyright 2009 AP Features
