Americans Upset By Industry Deals In Health Care Reform (NAPSA)—As Washington continues to debate ways to improve health care, many are “losing confidence” in the reform process. An overwhelming number blame “side deals” between Washington decision makers and the pharmaceutical industry for holding up progress, according to a recent poll from Lombardo Consulting Group. The poll shows two-thirds of voters believe that politicians involved in reform should not accept contributions from health care special interests, as it “compromises their ability to be fair and objective.” The news comes as many representatives are at odds over Washington’s possible dealings with the lobbying arm of the pharmaceutical industry, and a number of citizen groups have expressed concern over the effect special interests are having on the health care debate. “True reform cannot be accomplished if Washington is not on the side of the American public,” says Hctor Javier Preciado, health policy director for The Greenlining Institute, a public policy research and advocacy group. Indeed, the Lombardo poll showedthat nearly eight out of 10 registered voters believe that the role pharmaceutical companies @ Americans believe health care reform is on the wrong track. and other special interest groups have played in the reform debate has seriously compromised the process and potential outcomes. Preciado and others say the findings should serve as guidelines for representatives in D.C. “President Obama has made clear that real health care reform should not be at the mercy of special interests,” Preciado says. “It is critical that those in Washington work first and foremost to ensure expanded access to affordable medicine and health care for all without driving up costs or bowing to special interest groups.” For more information, visit www.greenlining.org.
