On December 8, 2009, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) sent letters to 33 medical groups asking for information regarding their financial relationships with the pharmaceutical, medical device, and insurance industries.

“These organizations have a lot of influence over public policy, and people rely on their leadership. There’s a strong case for disclosure and the accountability that results,” Grassley said in a press release.

Specifically, the letters ask for an accounting of industry funding that pharmaceutical, medical device companies, foundations established by these companies, or the insurance industry have provided to the organizations starting from January 2006.

The letters also ask the organizations to state their policies for accepting industry funding.

The letters were sent to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Surgeons, the American Dental Association, the American Heart Association, the American Hospital Association Inc., the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists, among others.

Grassley is also working for congressional passage of reform legislation he has sponsored with Senator Herb Kohl. Their bipartisan Physician Payments Sunshine Act would require annual public reporting by drug, device and biologic manufacturers of payments made to physicians nationwide.  In addition, a similar proposal in the House would require reporting to a broader list of recipients, including patient advocacy organizations.

To view Sen. Grassley's press release and letter, click here.