Healthcare companies spend billions annually on lobbying to influence government officials and legislators. Here are the top 20 healthcare organizations that lobby Congress and federal agencies, ranked in order of greatest to least all-time spending.
Note: Lobbyist spending information is from MapLight, a nonpartisan research organization.
1. American Medical Association (Chicago) — $154.75 million all-time spending
First quarter of 2015 — $6.72 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $12.40 million
Led by CEO and Executive Vice President James L. Madara, MD, the American Medical Association is the largest physician and medical association in the U.S., and aims "to promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health." It ranks No. 5 in spending among all lobbyists, regardless of industry.
2. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (Washington, D.C.) —$149.82 million
First quarter of 2015 — $5.44 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $4.82 million
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America was founded in 1958 to represent biopharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies. It works to align public policy and medical research and is led by President and CEO John J. Castellani. It ranked No. 6 in spending among all lobbyists.
3. American Hospital Association (Chicago) — $130.34 million
First quarter of 2015 — $4.63 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $4.77 million
The American Hospital Association, headed by President and CEO Rich Umbdenstock, serves nearly 5,000 hospitals, healthcare systems, networks and other care providers. It ranked seventh overall in spending among all lobbyists.
4. Pfizer (New York City) — $93.81 million
First quarter of 2015 — $3.16 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.75 million
Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical corporation with a portfolio that includes medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products, such as Advil, ChapStick, Emergen-C and Robitussin. Ian C. Read is chairman of the board and CEO.
5. CVS Health [formerly CVS Caremark] (Woonsocket, R.I.) — $77.75 million
First quarter of 2015 — $4.1 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $3.7 million
CVS Health is a pharmacy, healthcare and retail company, led by President and CEO Larry J. Merlo. CVS Caremark changed its corporate name to CVS Health in September 2014. To reflect this change, the historical spending of CVS Caremark is combined with that of CVS Health in this ranking. CVS/caremark now refers to the company's pharmacy benefit management and prescription mail order division.
6. AMGen (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) — $74.79 million
First quarter of 2015 — $2.98 million
Second quarter of 2015 — 1.97 million
AMGen, formerly Applied Molecular Genetics, is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers therapeutics. Its mission is "To Serve Patients." The multinational organization's chairman and CEO is Robert A. Bradway.
7. Eli Lilly and Co. (Indianapolis) — $73.09 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.83 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $2.02 million
Eli Lilly is a pharmaceutical company started by Colonel Eli Lilly in 1876. The company now conducts research and development in six countries and employs more than 41,000 people around the world. It is headed by John C. Lechleiter, PhD, chairman, president and CEO.
8. America's Health Insurance Plans (Washington, D.C.) — $69.59 million
First quarter of 2015 — $2.87 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $2.31 million
President Karen Ignagni took the helm this year at America's Health Insurance Plans, a national trade association representing health insurers. Together its members cover more than 200 million Americans.
9. Biotechnology Industry Organization (Washington, D.C.) — $59.40 million
First quarter of 2015 — $2.01 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $2.13 million
Biotechnology Industry Organization is the world's largest trade association for biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and other related organizations in more than 30 countries, according to its website. James C. Greenwood, former state representative of Pennsylvania, is now the organization's president and CEO.
10. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Chicago) — $57.54 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.87 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.91 million
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is the parent organization of 36 BCBS companies across the U.S. More than 96 percent of hospitals contract with BCBS companies, according to its website. The association is led by President and CEO Scott P. Serota.
11. Merck (Kenilworth, N.J.) — $50.78 million
First quarter of 2015 — $2.11 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.40 million
Merck is a global pharmaceutical company that provides prescriptions, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products in more than 140 countries. It employs nearly 70,000 and is led by Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman of the board, president and CEO.
12. Novartis Corporation (Basel, Switzerland) — $49.06 million
First quarter of 2015 — $2.55 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.5 million
Novartis is a Swiss pharmaceutical, eye care and generics company created in 1996 through the merger of chemical and dyes company Ciba-Geigy and chemical company Sandoz. It employs 120,000 people and sells products in more than 180 countries. Joseph Jimenez serves as CEO.
13. Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, N.J.) — $46.19 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.82 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $2.42 million
Johnson & Johnson is a consumer health, medical device, biologics and pharmaceutical company that operates in more than 60 countries. Alex Gorsky is the chairman of the board and CEO.
14. Bayer (Leverkusen, Germany) — $44.33 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.75 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $2.11 million
Bayer is a German healthcare, agriculture and materials company. It produces human and animal pharmaceuticals, consumer healthcare products, agricultural chemicals, biotechnology products and polymers. Marijn Dekkers, PhD, leads the global enterprise.
15. Sanofi (Paris) — $43.55 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.37 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $840,000
French pharmaceutical company Sanofi develops and distributes diabetes solutions, human vaccines, drugs, consumer healthcare products and other products. This February, Sanofi appointed Oliver Brandicourt its CEO.
16. GlaxoSmithKline (Middlesex, U.K.) — $43.13 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.73 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.123 million
GlaxoSmithKline is a British pharmaceutical company that researches and develops pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. It is researching medicines and vaccines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. At the helm is CEO Sir Andrew Witty.
17. MetLife (New York City) — $43.08 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.52 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.43 million
MetLife is one of the world's largest life insurance companies. It also offers dental and disability insurance. Steven A. Kandarian serves as chairman, president and CEO.
18. Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich, Germany) — $38.68 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.21 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.04 million
Siemens AG is a global engineering company. Its healthcare division supplies medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and clinical IT. The company is led by President and CEO Joe Kaeser.
19. Anthem [formerly WellPoint] (Indianapolis) — $36.89 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.61 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $1.27 million
WellPoint officially became Anthem last December. To reflect this change, both Anthem and WellPoint's spending was totaled for this ranking. Anthem is a for-profit health insurance company that is part of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It's president and CEO is Joseph Swedish, the former CEO of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health.
20. Medtronic (Minneapolis) — $35.74 million
First quarter of 2015 — $1.56 million
Second quarter of 2015 — $921,000
Medtronic is a medical device, medical technology and services company. It applies biomedical engineering to research, design, manufacture and sell medical instruments and appliances to improve patients' health and experience. Omar Ishrak serves as chairman and CEO of the company.
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