Surprise! Lobbying Linked to Higher Costs (Who Knew?)
A new study, breathlessly reported by Newsweek, links lobbying directly to higher healthcare costs. This earth-shattering revelation (for some, apparently) should surprise exactly zero Americans who’ve watched politicians take millions from pharmaceutical companies and insurance giants. For example, in 2023 alone, the pharmaceutical and health product industry spent over $190 million on lobbying,
according to OpenSecrets.org, while healthcare providers kicked in another $80 million. Just ask Sen. Joe Manchin, who pocketed over $60,000 from health and pharmaceutical interests in 2022-2023, then stalled drug pricing reform for months. (Remember this next time your 'preventative' colonoscopy costs more than a used car.) The media frames these 'studies' as novel research, instead of
acknowledging the obvious quid pro quo that's been bleeding the public dry for decades. It's less a 'link' and more a direct transfer—from your wallet, through a lobbyist, into a politician's campaign fund, and finally, right back into corporate profits. Who needs a study to confirm that gravity exists?