BestWeek, an A.M. Best publication, is reporting that insurers’ lobbying efforts set a record in 2009. Undoubtedly, health insurance reform played the biggest part of this lobbying effort.

How much money was spent by insurers in 2009?

$164.3 million.

And, we are off to another record year in 2010 with nearly $44 million to date according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

Health insurers lead the industry in lobbying spending with Blue Cross/Blue Shield at the top with nearly $15 million spent in 2009.

Campaign spending by the insurance industry is estimated to be nearly $21 million in 2010. And, insurance money in U.S. politics is not a Democrat or Republican issue–the money is split evenly among the parties.

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