Hanger Spends $100K to Lobby for Healthcare

Hanger Orthopedic Group Inc., Bethesda, paid Foley & Lardner LLP $100,000 to lobby the federal government in 2007 according to an article on businessweek.com. Foley & Lardner lobbied Congress for legislation that would force private insurers to cover amputee costs at the same level as federal healthcare programs.

Prosthetic makers say insurers are hiking premiums and capping benefits, forcing some amputees to borrow from banks, max out their credit cards, or sell assets to buy artificial limbs. The insurance industry, meanwhile, opposes any mandate for amputee coverage, arguing it is already providing cost-effective coverage to those who need prosthetics.

Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.