Health industry cash flowed to drafters of reform

As the Senate Finance Committee has taken center stage in the battle over healthcare reform, Chairman Max Baucus has emerged as a leading recipient of Senate campaign contributions from the hospitals, insurers, and other medical interest groups hoping to shape the legislation to their advantage. Health-related companies and their employees gave Baucus's political committees nearly $1.5 million in 2007 and 2008, when he began holding hearings and making preparations for this year's reform debate.