Public policy has the potential to enable the development of the next generation of medical advances and unlock the power of health. Abbott's role in these discussions is to work to ensure that policy positively impacts the people who rely on our work, our employees and our ability to continue to develop new products. At the federal and state levels, we engage with governments, think tanks, trade associations, patient groups and other organizations to find policy solutions to the complex issues that challenge our healthcare system. It is our responsibility to help policymakers understand Abbott's viewpoints on major healthcare issues.
Abbott's public policy engagement is guided by the following principles:
- Abbott is committed to ethical behavior and transparency and is guided by our Code of Business Conduct in all our activities, including public policy engagement. Abbott's public policy activities comply with all applicable laws and regulations and adhere to Abbott policies. Abbott, relevant Abbott employees, and external lobbyists and firms register as lobbyists and file lobbying and contribution disclosures as required by applicable law.
- The Government Affairs function has the primary responsibility for public policy engagement in the U.S. under the direction of the Vice President of Government Affairs. The Public Policy Committee of the Board of Directors reviews an annual report of Abbott's public policy activities, including advocacy priorities, political contributions, lobbying activities, and trade association memberships and dues.
- Abbott pursues activities to shape policies that impact the Company and benefit the people who need our products, with a focus on improving access to new medical advances, and helping people live fuller, healthier lives.
Abbott's Government Affairs function, under the direction of the Vice President, Government Affairs, is responsible for our U.S. advocacy activities, including managing all direct advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels, and managing Abbott's relationships with trade associations and similar groups with respect to their advocacy efforts. Our Federal Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. is responsible for advocacy activities with the U.S. Congress and the federal government. Advocacy at the U.S. state level is managed by our State Government Affairs function. Abbott also hires outside firms that can provide expertise on our key policy issues. Abbott does not currently make direct expenditures towards U.S. federal or state grassroots lobbying communications to the general public. Were Abbott to engage in this area, such activity would be managed by the Vice President of Government Affairs.
The Public Policy Committee of the Abbott Board of Directors is responsible for oversight of Abbott's Government Affairs function and public policy issues that affect or could affect Abbott's business, performance, and public image, as well as reviewing and evaluating Abbott's governmental affairs and political participation, including advocacy priorities, political contributions, lobbying activities, and trade association memberships. The Public Policy Committee also has responsibility for evaluating Abbott's sustainability and social responsibility practices and reviewing social, political, economic, and environmental trends. For additional information regarding Abbott's Public Policy Committee, please refer to the Committee's charter.
Abbott is committed to enabling people to live fuller, healthier lives through better health and we strive to make an impact on policies and priorities that have a positive effect on people's health and well-being, including enabling broader accessibility to and affordability of medical innovation. In furtherance of this commitment, Abbott engages in advocacy with respect to public policy developments that may have a significant impact on this objective and on its business. Abbott regularly engages in advocacy on the following issues: promoting access to medical innovation; promoting competitive tax policy that enhances innovation; global trade issues; strengthening our supply chain; and promoting sustainability and responsible stewardship of our resources.
Abbott files quarterly reports, in compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, that include: 1) total federal lobbying expenditures, 2) the name of the specific piece of legislation or subject that was the topic of communication, 3) disclosure of Abbott individuals who lobbied on behalf of Abbott and 4) identification of the legislative body or executive branch that was contacted. The quarterly reports provide additional detail on active lobbying priorities and incorporate expenses associated with lobbying the federal government, including our Federal Government Affairs office and the portion of trade association dues associated with federal lobbying. In 2023, Abbott reported $3,890,000 in U.S. federal lobbying. Abbott's latest Federal lobbying disclosure filings can be found on the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records website or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk website. The Public Policy Committee of the Abbott Board of Directors reviews an annual report of our advocacy priorities.
Download Abbott's most recent LD-2 here. Please see below to download previous quarters' reports of Abbott's LD-2.