Money Talks

Money helps opens doors in Washington and medical-device companies are flush with it.

The industry, which includes large companies like Medtronic Inc., is fighting proposed fees of $40 billion over 10 years included in a Senate committee health reform bill. The companies spent $15.7 million on lobbying in the first half of this year and gave $10.5 million to current members of Congress through campaigns and leadership PACs since 1989, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Medical-device companies are lobbying lawmakers in Washington to reduce the amount of money they're being asked to kick in to help pay for President Obama's health reform. The amount is excessive and will cut into research and development budgets, companies argue.

Montana Democrat Max Baucus, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, says he's wants to work with the companies on the fees, USA Today reports. He has motivation. Baucus collected more than $254,000 from the industry since 1989, Center for Responsive Politics says.

Only one other member of Congress, Senator Arlen Specter, has received more money. The Pennsylvania Democrat got $257,800, according to the watchdog group.

Other top recipients of medical products companies: Senator John McCain, Arizona Republican, $248,178; Senator Orrin Hatch, Utah Republican, $216,294; Representative Mark Kirk, Illinois Republican, $191,450; Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, $188,485; Representative Charles Rangel, New York Democrat, $170,202; Senator Evan Bayh, Indiana Democrat, $168,451; Senator Richard Burr, North Carolina Republican, $167,128; and Senator Charles Grassley, Iowa Republican $164,502.