Google spending big bucks on health IT lobbying

Wondering how big a stake Google feels it has in the progress of health IT rules under the stimulus package? Well, at least $880,000 worth, according to federal reports tracking lobbying activities during the first quarter of this year. It's little surprise, given the effort Google is putting into promoting its Google Health personal health record, which it clearly sees as an important initiative.

According to the federal report, Google contracted with government relations and public affairs firm the Podesta Group. Podesta Group, for its part, reported receiving $150,000 to lobby on behalf of Google on "health information technology" and "online privacy."

Meanwhile, law firm King and Spalding LLP reported taking in $80,000 to lobby for the big G on "online health-related initiatives, including health information technology provisions" in the  stimulus package.

Now, I'm eager to hear a similar report on lobbying by Microsoft, which certainly has a similar amount at stake in promoting its Health Vault PHR technology. Seems like there could be a dogfight on the the Hill over whose vision of personal health data use and privacy wins.

To learn more about Google's lobbying activities:
- read this iHealthBeat piece

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