FACT CHECK: JANE NORTON DENIES LOBBYIST PAST DESPITE DIRECT EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY
DSCC To Norton: Let Us Count The Ways
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is setting the record straight today on Jane Norton’s recent bogus claim to a Colorado radio station that she’s “not been a lobbyist.” In fact, Norton was a lobbyist in Colorado for five years. Whether Norton is trying to hide her work as a lobbyist to curry favor from the far-right anti-establishment Tea Party crowd or because she doesn’t want Coloradans to know the real reason she is opposing health care reform, Norton should come clean to Coloradans and admit that she worked as a lobbyist for five years.
“Jane Norton saying she was never a lobbyist doesn’t make it true. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and registered itself as a duck, then it’s a duck,” said Deirdre Murphy, DSCC National Press Secretary. “Coloradans want straight talk, and so far Jane Norton has utterly failed to give them what they want.”
The audio of the exchange is attached.
Despite telling a talk radio host the opposite, Norton was a healthcare lobbyist from 1994 to 1999, when she served as the Executive Director, Office of Strategic Relationship, and the Director, Office of State Government Relations, for the Medical Group Management Association. In 2001, the Rocky Mountain News wrote that Norton “was previously a medical lobbyist.”
In the past several months alone, Norton has come under repeated fire for her remarks. First, she raised eyebrows after telling a Tea Party crowd in Alamosa that the solution to fixing America’s education system is to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. Then, she showered praise on both the TEA party movement and Glenn Beck’s 9/12 groups, calling both groups a “huge strength” for the Republican Party. Next, Norton sat silently at a meet and greet at a coffee shop while a woman repeatedly called President Obama a Muslim. Finally, in response to an unrelated question in front of the Jefferson County Men’s Club, Norton told the audience that President Obama cares more about protecting the rights of terrorists than protecting the American people. Norton refused to back down from her terrorist claim, telling a Weld County audience several days later once again that President Obama’s Administration cares more about protecting the rights of terrorists that the lives of American citizens.
Norton Headed Lobbyist Division of Healthcare Organization. From 1994 to 1999, Norton served as Executive Director, Office Of Strategic Relationships, and Director, Office Of State Government Relations, for the Medical Group Management Association. According to Norton’s biography, “Her responsibilities included monitoring health care reform legislative and regulatory proposals in the 50 states on behalf of MGMA’s 18,000 clinic administrator members and 6,700 medical group members; and expanding relationships with industry partners and the nation’s medical schools.” [[Denver Post, 12/19/98; Norton Campaign Website Biography, accessed 10/28/09]
MGMA Spent Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars On Lobbying While Norton Was There. According to a report in Medical Economics, “The Medical Group Management Association spends roughly $240,000 and has three staff members involved in lobbying.” An analysis from the report showed that MGMA spent $240,000 in 1999 and $200,000 in 1998. [Medical Economics, 2000;18:46]
MGMA Website Notes Lobbying Efforts. According the to MGMA website, “MGMA's Government Affairs staff analyzes the latest healthcare legislation topics and issues about healthcare management to keep you informed about public policy. You can take charge of advocacy through our grassroots lobbying efforts.” [MGMA.com, accessed 12/18/09]
Rocky Mountain News: Norton Worked as Healthcare Lobbyist. After serving as regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Norton worked as a healthcare lobbyist. “Norton, who was previously a medical lobbyist and Western regional director of the federal Department of Health and Human Services.” [Rocky Mountain News, 3/4/01]
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