Health-care and health-insurance companies and associations have long anticipated the federal government's reform of their industry. Therefore, they have been mobilizing over the last couple of election cycles in an attempt to shape that reform.

Campaign contributions from lobbyists and their clients clearly illustrate the intensity with which these organizations are attempting to influence Capitol Hill. Health-care companies and associations have hired legions of lobbyists who in recent years have created a notable -- and until now, largely unseen -- web of campaign contributions benefiting members of Congress.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield, through efforts of 61 lobbyists, funneled an average of $281,080 to members of Congress.

Individual lobbyists enhance the political power of the organizations they're paid to represent. Industry groups and companies such as the Pharmaceutical Researchers & Manufacturers of American and Amgen Inc. top the list, as they have combined with their dozens of lobbyists -- wittingly or not -- to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to several dozen members of Congress. Latest count, 131 lobbyists paid $108,405 to each of 32 members of Congress.

The numbers of congressional members who have received campaign contributions both from health-related organizations and the outside lobbyists they've hired have exceeded the billion-dollar threshold. Contribution "bundles" combining the health-care, pharmaceutical and insurance industries and their hired lobbyists have delivered millions to North Carolina congressional and senatorial representatives.

Are there any reservations from our elected representatives who received more than $100,000 on average in the second quarter of 2009? Not really. They line their political coffers while Americans are dying from no health care.

Tommy Davis

Aberdeen