Posts tagged "health care reform"

Blue Dog profited on sale of property to campaign contributor

Posted by LegiStorm on Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) has found himself in the role of a de facto spokesman for the crucial Blue Dog coalition in the House during this summer's health care debate. With increased attention, however, comes increased scrutiny.

Ross sold his business at an inflated price to a pharmacy chain whose owner is a campaign contributor and has strong views on the health care debate in Washington, according to an investigation of his personal financial disclosures by ProPublica appearing in this morning's Politico. 

The Arkansas-based pharmacy chain USA Drug, with more than 170 stores in five states, bought Holly's Health Mart in 2007 for between $1 million and $1.67 million, according to Ross' financial disclosure reports for that year. The total includes $420,000 for the property itself. But local officials assessed the property at only $263,000, and an appraisal by ProPublica in August valued the property even lower.

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posted in Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), health care reform, personal financial disclosures, ProPublica
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Rep. Joe Wilson's staff tied to health care lobbying

Posted by LegiStorm on Friday, September 11, 2009

The chief of staff to Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), whose outburst during President Obama's health care address to the nation earlier this week surprised many, took a pause in his government duties over the past two years and worked as a health care lobbyist.

W. Eric Dell served as Wilson's chief of staff from 2001 until the end of 2006. In 2007 and most of 2008, he represented clients including Cedaron Medical Inc, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Doctors Company while working for the Keelen Group. In 2008, he came back to work for Congress, once again as Wilson's chief of staff.  

According to his financial disclosures, Dell made over $300,000 in 2007 and 2008 as a lobbyist. In lobbying disclosures bearing his name, he is reported to have worked on issues "related to medical malpractice reform," and "issues pertaining to reducing the costs of quality healthcare." One of the first bills Dell lobbied on after leaving Rep. Wilson's office was Sen. Tom Coburn's (R-Okla.) 2007 Universal Health Care Choice and Access Act.

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posted in lobbyists, personal financial disclosures, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), health care reform
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