American Association of Health Plans
The AAHP represents a majority of Medicare+Choice HMOs, which provide coverage to seniors who have chosen that option over the traditional fee-for-service Medicare. The AAHP supports adding a prescription drug benefit through the expansion of Medicare+Choice.

Visit the AAHP Web Site
Number of members: More than 1,000 health plans and more than half of Medicare+Choice HMOs
Total Lobbying expenditures: $3,644,342 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

AARP
The AARP (formerly known as American Association of Retired Persons) represents the interests of Americans over the age of 50 and has been one of the most vocal supporters for adding a prescription drug benefit to Medicare coverage.

Visit the AARP Web Site
Number of members: More than 35 million members
Total Lobbying expenditures: $4,000,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

Families USA
Families USA advocates on behalf of health care consumers and works to ensure that all Americans have high quality, affordable health care.

Visit the Families USA Web Site:
Number of members: N/A
Total Lobbying expenditures: $80,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

Public Citizen
Public Citizen is a consumer advocacy organization founded by Ralph Nader. The group has been a vocal opponent of attempts to privatize Medicare.

Visit the Public Citizen Web Site
Number of members: 150,000
Total Lobbying expenditures: $80,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association represents hospitals and health systems and has been working to increase the amounts that its members are paid for treating Medicare patients.

Visit the AHA Web Site
Number of members: Almost 5,000
Total Lobbying expenditures: $11,960,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of American
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. While not opposed to a Medicare coverage of prescriptions, the group has been fighting reforms that would decrease the cost of medications by pooling seniors' bargaining power or place government-imposed caps on drug costs.

Visit the PhRMA Web Site
Number of members: 34
Total Lobbying expenditures: $7,480,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

American Medical Association
The American Medical Association represents many of the nation's doctors and has been advocating an increase in the payments its members receive for treating Medicare patients.

Visit the AMA Web Site
Number of members: 280,000
Total Lobbying expenditures: $16,640,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

Consumers Union
Consumers Union represents consumers and is an advocate of comprehensive Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Visit the Consumers Union Web Site
Number of members: 5 million members (subscribers to magazine and Web site)
Total Lobbying expenditures: $220,000 (2000 data)
The Center for Responsive Politics has more on this group's political donations

Online NewsHour Special Report:
Prescription Drug Coverage

July 22, 2002:
Susan Dentzer investigates efforts to control health care costs.

June 7, 2002:
Tom Bearden reports on many doctors' growing reluctance to treat Medicare patients.

Aug. 22, 2002:
Paul Solman looks at the rising amount spent on health care and weighs the pros and cons of new medical technologies.