Missouri Democratic Party

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Money Talks: Congressman Blunt’s Close Ties to Special Interests Explain Resistance to Health Insurance Reform Filed on August 18, 2009

For Immediate Release: August 12, 2009

Contact: Ryan Hobart (573) 636-5241 Ext. 125

Money Talks: Congressman Blunt’s Close Ties to Special Interests Explain Resistance to Health Insurance Reform

Private meetings with big business and two million in donations represent Blunt’s ties to insurance and health Industries

Jefferson City, Mo – As Congressman Roy Blunt travels around his district to discuss health insurance reform with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and other big business advocates, it is becoming clearer that certain groups have his full attention.

Additionally, all of the money he has raked in during his career is starting to get noticed. During his time in Congress, he has taken more money from big business health care than any other current U.S. Senator or Representative in Missouri, Kansas or Oklahoma. (http://www.joplinglobe.com/joplin_metro/local_story_217165454.html?keyword=secondarystory)

Specifically, his long record as a member of the GOP Congressional leadership shows that he has received around $2 million in campaign contributions from health industry and insurance special interests:

Blunt Has Received $553,682 From Insurance Industry. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Rep. Blunt has received $553,682 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry over the course of his career. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Blunt’s PAC Has Taken More Than $981,000 From Health Industries. According to records, Blunt’s leadership PAC, the Rely on Your Beliefs (ROYB) Fund, has received $981,137 from health industries including pharmaceuticals/health products, health professionals, insurance, and health services industries. [Center for Responsive Politics]

Blunt Has Received More Than $450,000 From Pharmaceutical Industry. According to records, Blunt has received $456,222 during his career from the pharmaceutical and health products industries for his congressional campaigns. [Center for Responsive Politics]

“Congressman Blunt has received two million dollars from insurance and health special interests because he is one of their closest allies in Washington,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Brian Zuzenak. “In fact, Congressman Blunt has family, friends and former staff members who have served as lobbyists for health and insurance companies. All of his positions and actions show that he is doing what’s in the best interest of the insurance and health industries and not what’s in the best interest of all Missourians.”

Additionally, some of Congressman Blunt’s quotes from his meetings reveal more about his thoughts on reform and the current state of the health care system, specifically that he’d like to see more options for the insurance industry:

“We don’t have the level of choice or competition that I would like to see us have. I’d like to see the insurance industry have more choices, more options, have to compete more aggressively to get and keep the business they have.” (Joplin Globe)

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