Health Debate Travails Boost Lobbying Firms

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., won an upset election last month that has reshaped the health debate and that new dynamic could be a boon for lobbying firms, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Law Review columnist writes. "The thousands of lobbyists on and off Capitol Hill who labor on behalf of health-industry clients can now count on at least a few more monthly retainers. ... Nothing stimulates the flow of lobbying dollars like uncertainty on Capitol Hill." One Philadelphia legal firm, Cozen O'Connor, which is known for its insurance-defense practice, is chasing the health debate's new opportunities. "Like many of its peer law firms in Philadelphia and around the country, it has been hustling to bolster its government-relations (lobbying) practice in Washington" (Mondics, 2/9).

Also in lobbying news: "A group advocating the rights of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are on the Hill this week to press lawmakers on issues ranging from disability care to high rates of unemployment," Politico reports. "Top priorities include improving the claims processing system for disabled veterans, addressing the suicide epidemic among service members and improving the Veterans Affairs Department's health care services for women" (Cogan, 2/9).