Healthcare lobbying vets form bipartisan team

Two prominent veteran healthcare lobbyists are forming a bipartisan alliance to strengthen their already considerable appeal as a major legislative push on health reform nears.

Frederick Graefe, a well-known Democratic lobbyist in private practice, has joined forces with the Capitol Health Group, a small firm helmed by an old Republican hand, Mike Bromberg.

{mosads}“We are hopeful in this new administration, this new Congress, with healthcare in the forefront, that some entities would find our joint approach of value,” said Graefe.

“The advantages are clear,” Bromberg said, noting that Graefe’s Democratic credentials and connections with key lawmakers will facilitate attracting new clients. With Democrats controlling the agenda, Graefe would not be able to service as many clients by himself, he added.

“Fred’s all alone. He’s a solo guy and we’re a team. It’s a perfect marriage,” Bromberg said.

“I’m honored and flattered to be with Mike. He’s been a friend and a mentor for over 25 years,” Graefe said. “Tommy the Cork was the first lobbyist; Mike was the second,” he quipped.

Bromberg approached Graefe several months ago and they recently hashed out an arrangement over lunch, Bromberg said. Despite wanting to enhance his firm’s Democratic side, Bromberg said Graefe was his first and only choice for a partner and that he would have done nothing if Graefe declined.

Bromberg’s firm employs one lobbyist with a Democratic background, Sen. Ron Wyden’s (D-Ore.) former chief of staff and policy director Steve Jennings, but Graefe is a heavyweight in Democratic healthcare lobbying circles.

The firms will remain independent of one another except when working on a client signed jointly under the auspices of their alliance.

The two firms currently represent a plethora of healthcare interests, with clients in the health insurance, pharmaceutical and hospital spheres, among others. Graefe and Bromberg currently share a single client, the medical equipment manufacturer Invacare.