Healthcare lobbying cools down one year after reform law's passage

The money spent on healthcare lobbying has dropped off considerably from a year ago when Congress was in the midst of the healthcare reform debate, according to disclosure records filed this week.

The main exceptions, as expected, are health insurance plans that are battling to shape an array of pending regulations that seek to overhaul their business model. 

"People may have ramped up in preparation for healthcare reform and naturally would pull back now that the legislation has passed," said Alexander Vachon, a health policy analyst. "Insurers [however] will be busy through 2014 and beyond."

Health insurers are still spending as much as they were a year ago on lobbying.

America's Health Insurance Plans, for example, spent $2.33 million, just 14 percent less than the $2.7 million spent in the first quarter of 2010 — but more than last quarter's $1.98 million.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association reported spending $1.7 million this quarter and last versus $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2010.

Other industry groups — including pharmaceuticals, hospitals and physicians — are spending well below last year's first quarter levels, even if they're within the historical average.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, for example, spent $4.54 million on lobbying in the first quarter, down 35 percent from the $7 million spent in the early months of 2010. But industry officials say those numbers are in line with pre- and post-reform spending, which was back down to $4.9 million last quarter.

"We continue to focus our efforts on public policies that improve patient care and access to medicines, foster medical innovation and support U.S.-based biopharmaceutical jobs," a PhRMA official told The Hill.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization, meanwhile, reported spending $2.2 million, the same amount the group spent in the first quarter of 2010.

Individual drugmakers have boosted their lobbying spending since last quarter: Pfizer spent $3.79 million versus $2.59 million last quarter (and $5.86 million in the first quarter of 2010); Merck spent $3.56 million versus $1.29 million last quarter; Eli Lilly is at $2.47 million from $1.45 million; and Abbott is up to $1.47 million from $1.75 million.

The Federation of American Hospitals is spending less. It spent $550,000 this quarter, 30 percent less than the $790,000 spent this time last year but about the same as last quarter's $580,000.

Ditto for physicians. The American Medical Association spent $4.25 million this time and $4.93 million last quarter versus $6.15 million in the first quarter of last year.