The Center for REsponsive Politics has a typically very informative article on the money connection of Blue-dog "Democrats" to the Health care industry. Check it out. (complete list of blue-dogs and the money recieved from various sectors within the health care industry is provided).
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2009/06/blue-dog-bark-backed-by-insure.htmlThere's a particular breed of lawmaker on Capitol Hill that is pushing hard against a public health care plan, much to the delight of two seriously moneyed special interest groups--insurers and pharmaceuticals. They're the Blue Dogs: moderate, vocal and funded in part by the industries trying to protect their bottom line.
The typical member* of the Blue Dog caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives has received $10,300 more from insurers than the typical non-Blue Dog Democrat in the House (including health and accident insurers, HMOs and other health services) and only $3,625 less than the typical House Republican. Earlier this month, the Blue Dogs sent a letter to House leadership arguing that a public option should be created "only if insurance market reforms and increased competition don't lower costs on their own," according to the Politico.
The support for Blue Dogs from health care professionals is even more evident. Health pros are among the top 20 industry donors to 38 Blue Dogs since 1989 and are the No. 1 donor for five of them. Health pros have also given the typical Blue Dog $47,550 more than the typical non-Blue Dog Democrat in the House. This month the American Medical Association, which lobbies on behalf of doctors, also came out against a public health insurance plan. The AMA is among the top 20 contributors to 10 Blue Dogs since 1989.
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the article has a complete list of the so-called Democrats known as Blue-Dogs listing the money recieved from the Health Sector: Health Insurance, Pharmaceutical, Health Pros, Hospitals and Nursing Homes.