Industry groups are signaling their commitment to health IT issues by increasing their spend on lobbying efforts.
In the second quarter of 2014, $19.3 million was spent on lobbying efforts aimed at CMS' electronic health record incentive program, up from $18.7 million during the previous quarter, reports Politico. About $14 million was spent on telemedicine-focused lobbying in the last three months, up from $13.3 million in the first quarter, according to the report.
In comparison, the amount of money spent on all health-focused lobbying has been steadily decreasing for the past five years, according to the Hill. Politico notes the American Medical Association, traditionally one of the most prominent health groups on the Hill, spent just $3.9 million on lobbying efforts in the second quarter, compared with their $6.3 million first-quarter outlay.
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