Obamacare: Lining the Pockets of Government Insiders?

This October, online health marketplaces are slated to open. These exchanges, a mandate of the Affordable Care Act, will lead to some significant changes for the health insurance industry. While the upcoming health exchanges are controversial, they might be a significant source of profit for the right companies and individuals.

In particular, lawmakers, elected officials and government workers who played a role in the creation of the healthcare law could benefit. In many cases, these individuals are finding high-end private sector work, advising businesses on the best way to navigate the Affordable Care Act.

One Obama administration official, Dr. Dora Hughes, played a significant role in the creation of the new healthcare law. While she never expected to join a law firm, her unique qualifications and work history gave her access to some very lucrative jobs. After a four-year stent as a counselor to Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr. Hughes left the public sector to join Sidley Austin, a law firm.

At the firm, Dr. Hughes provides strategic advisement for device manufacturers, insurers and pharmaceutical companies. While Dr. Hughes is not registered as a lobbyist, her industry and government connections give her more standing ground than many others who represent the private sector.

In total, the private healthcare industry spent more than a quarter-billion dollars lobbying the government last year.