Political donations and political lobbying are central to corporate success. Corporations depend on politicians to create the environment where they can make a profit, and to protect them from the pressures for reform generated in the community. Links with politicians and with those who can influence them are assiduously cultivated. Vast sums are spent on political donations and lobbying, both collectively through industry associations and individually. Genesis is very much part of this.
Some fear government remains too "cozy'
with industry;
The Tampa Tribune November 15, 1998
VICKIE CHACHERE
Politics and connections play roles in the nursing home regulation system.State Rep. Carl Littlefield dubs it the "unholy alliance" - the relationship between Florida's largest nursing home trade association and the agency that regulates the industry.
Littlefield, a Dade City Republican, recalls sensing something amiss when he asked regulators a question and got the answer an hour later in a call from nursing home executives.
"I just know there is so much interplay between the agency and the association that I'm not sure it's healthy," said Littlefield, chairman of the House Government Services Council, which oversees nursing home regulation.
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But the industry's influence doesn't end there. Its lobbyists have the collective power to open almost any door in Tallahassee.J.M. "Mac" Stipanovich, who managed Gov.-elect Jeb Bush's 1994 campaign and was chief of staff to Gov. Bob Martinez, represents the Florida Health Care Association.
Jim Krog, former chief of staff for Gov. Lawton Chiles, lobbies for Extendicare.
Prominent lobbyist and prolific campaign contributor Jack Cory represents Manor Care, which recently merged with Health Care & Retirement Corp.
Cathie Herndon, former House budget director, lobbies for Beverly Enterprises Inc.
Former state Sen. Curt Kiser has been retained by Genesis Eldercare Network, and former state Sen. Ken Plante represents Vencor Inc. Democratic fundraiser Tom Panza is a lobbyist for Integrated Health Services Inc.
WASHINGTON AT WORK; Insider Bemoans What
He Wished For
The New York Times May 20, 1999
As Republican national chairman, Haley Barbour designed his party's campaign to cut the growth of Medicare. Now he has taken on a new assignment. As a lobbyist for a dozen large nursing home companies, he pleads with Congress for relief from the law he helped write.
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More than any other recent chairman of the Republican National Committee, however, Mr. Barbour shaped the party's agenda, and influenced legislation, through frequent meetings with Republican leaders on Capitol Hill.
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Mr. Barbour, whose four-year term as chairman ended in January 1997, said today that he was retained by his nursing home clients last month and had since discussed their problems with about 15 members of Congress, mostly Republican senators.
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Mr. Barbour has not yet filed the required forms with Congress to disclose the amount spent lobbying for nursing homes on Capitol Hill. Asked how much he was being paid, he said, "Not enough," and laughed.He confirmed that his clients included the Sun Healthcare Group of Albuquerque, N.M.; Vencor Inc. of Louisville, Ky.; the Mariner Post-Acute Network Inc. of Atlanta; Beverly Enterprises of Fort Smith, Ark.; HCR Manor Care Inc. of Toledo, Ohio; Genesis Health Ventures of Kennett Square, Pa., and Extendicare Inc. of Markham, Ontario.
