Healthcare companies flex their financial muscle when it comes to politics, and the 2017-18 election was no different with healthcare-related donations hitting $37.9 million, according to OpenSecrets.org, a website that tracks political spending.
Note: Only donations of $200 or more were included.
1. Although donations were almost equal among the parties, healthcare companies donated $19.76 million to Republican candidates and $18.04 million to Democratic candidates.
2. Healthcare companies supported incumbent candidates at a drastically higher rate than challengers, with $33.48 million going to incumbents.
3. Concerning the U.S. House, healthcare companies donated $14.54 million to Republican candidates and $8.98 million to Democrats.
4. In the Senate, Democrats were the largest benefactor, receiving $6.12 million in healthcare-related contributions with Republicans receiving $3.69 million. Healthcare companies also supported independent candidates donating $124,029.
5. These five legislators received the most from healthcare companies:
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo. — $774,637
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. — $671,086
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah — $646,049
Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore. — $606,050
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio — $582,935