MEDICAL INDUSTRY MONEY HELPS CAMPAIGN COFFERS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 2, 1992                   TAG: 9202020176
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: THOMAS BOYER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium
MEDICAL INDUSTRY MONEY HELPS CAMPAIGN COFFERS
The medical industry, like most other big campaign donors, puts its money where it thinks it can do the most for its cause. That means senior members of key committees frequently get the lion's share for their re-election campaigns.
Winners in last fall's General Assembly races received an average of at least $3,320 in donations from the health-care industry, according to a computer analysis of campaign finance reports.
But those with seats on the coveted House of Delegates and Senate Finance committees got nearly 50 percent more, or $4,700 per seat. Those committees preside over all tax bills, including Gov. Douglas Wilder's proposed levy on hospital revenue.
Big recipients of medical money, however, aren't necessarily siding with the industry in its fight with Wilder. And while Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Vinton, heads the House Finance panel, neither he nor any other area legislators are among the major recipients of medical contributions.
Some big recipients:

Sen. Clarence Holland, D-Virginia Beach, received at least $14,800 from the industry. A physician himself, Holland has been active on health issues and was just appointed to the Senate Finance Committee. He opposes Wilder's provider tax.

Senate President Pro Tem Stanley Walker, D-Norfolk, received at least $17,600 from medical providers. Walker, a senior member of the Finance Committee, is chairman of the Wilder-appointed Commission on Health Care for All Virginians. He is sponsoring Wilder's medical provider tax.

Del. Alan Diamonstein, D-Newport News, received at least $12,800 from the industry. He's chairman of the General Laws Committee and a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees the state budget.

Del. Jay DeBoer, D-Petersburg, received $14,450. He serves on the House Finance panel and is second in seniority on the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee, which rules on many bills affecting medical policy.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB