Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 19, 1992 TAG: 9201190200
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: E1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEAN McNAIR ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
HEALTH LOBBIES GENEROUS
Nearly all of the state's 140 legislators got campaign contributions last year from health-industry groups that are fighting a proposed $68 million tax on health providers.Financial reports filed with the state Board of Elections show 127 lawmakers got money from the Virginia Hospital Association, the Medical Society of Virginia or the Virginia Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes.
Most legislators received a total of between $1,000 and $3,000 from the groups' political-action committees.
In fighting for his tax proposal, Gov. Douglas Wilder has mounted a populist-style attack on the health lobbies and their influence in the General Assembly.
"When you start talking about going against one of the heaviest lobbying groups in the assembly with treasure coffers loaded, you start off in trouble," Wilder said.
Many assembly members have shown little enthusiasm for the health tax, which would be imposed on hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies and physicians to help pay rising Medicaid costs. Health-industry lobbyists say the tax would be passed on to patients.
Legislators disagree over how much they are influenced by the lobbyists and their money.
"We can fend off lobbyists," said Del. Vincent Callahan Jr., R-Fairfax.
But Sen. Elliot Schewel, D-Lynchburg, said the PAC money is bound to influence legislators' votes, "even if it's in a subconscious way." Schewel said he refuses to accept PAC money.
"You can't buy a vote in Virginia with campaign contributions, but you sure can buy access," said Del. Jay DeBoer, D-Petersburg. "They've got a lot of ears listening."
The three PACs gave DeBoer $4,750 for his re-election bid last November, more than any other legislator received.
DeBoer said he attracts health PAC money because of the committees he sits on - Health, Welfare and Institutions, Finance and General Laws.
He also said he's leaning toward supporting the tax.
"It's making sense," DeBoer said. "The health-care providers industry is going to have to participate."
DeBoer said he was not worried about losing the health PACs' support.
"I'm going to do the right thing. I'm not going to be governed by re-election pressure," he said.
Other legislators who received generous donations from the three health PACs include: Del. George Heilig, D-Norfolk, $3,950; Del. Thomas Forehand, D-Chesapeake,$2,750; Sen. Henry Marsh, D-Richmond, $2,750; Sen. Jane Woods, R-Fairfax, $2,650, and Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews of Hampton, $2,550.
Lobbying organizations say they give to legislative candidates because they want good representatives in government, not because they want their votes.
"We do not influence with money. When we contribute to campaigns we look at trying to find good, upstanding candidates to serve in the General Assembly," said Madeline Wade, a lobbyist for the Medical Society of Virginia, which represents physicians.
"This also provides us with the opportunity to sit down and talk," she added.
Laurens Sartoris, president of the Virginia Hospital Association, said PAC money may make a difference in Washington, D.C., but not in Richmond.
"Our legislators have always been very generous with their time for any constituent or constituent group that wants to talk to them," Sartoris said.
"You contribute to people you feel will promote good government," he said. "I don't think there's any direct benefit from it or indirect benefit."
Sartoris noted that his association contributed to Wilder's bid for governor in 1989.
"I don't know anyone running for state office who's bashful about asking for PAC contributions," he said.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY