12 Days of Corporate Tax Giveaways: Senator Collins Took Campaign Cash From Anthem Insurance’s Corporate PAC As She Helped Them Get a $1.1 Billion Tax Break

As we approach the two-year anniversary of Senator Collins’ vote for the GOP tax bill, Maine Democrats will highlight how Senator Collins put corporate special interests ahead of hardworking Mainers in a series we’re calling the “12 Days of Corporate Tax Giveaways” ☃️

Mainers have been hit hard by the 2017 GOP tax law. The bill raised health care premiums and created a marriage penalty for Maine families all while sparking a lawsuit that would end coverage protections for the nearly 600,000 Mainers with pre-existing conditions and adding nearly $2 trillion to the national debt.

However, for Senator Collins and the big corporations supporting her campaign, the GOP tax bill has brought a financial windfall. Anthem Insurance has already reaped at least $1.1 billion as a result of the GOP tax bill and has made it clear to investors that the benefits would go to wealthy shareholders, not workers. 

It’s clear that Senator Collins earned the support of big corporations like Anthem with her tax bill vote. In December of 2017, Anthem Insurance’s Corporate PAC . donated twice to Senator Collins’ campaign. Their first donation came in the midst of the tax debate and the second came just six days after her vote in favor of the bill that would help corporations like Anthem avoid paying their fair share.

“Collins’ vote for the GOP tax giveaway may have been good for corporations like Anthem, but it was bad for Mainers,” said Maine Democratic Party Executive Director Lisa Roberts. “We need a Senator who puts Maine families ahead of corporate donors.”

Anthem Insurance gave Collins $3,000 during tax bill debate and then received a $1.1 billion tax break from the bill

Anthem Insurance corporate pac donated $3,000 to collins – She’s taken More Than $1 Million From The Insurance Industry Total

12/11/17: Anthem Insurance Inc. Good Government Program PAC Contributed $1,500 To Collins For Senator. [FEC, Collins for Senate Itemized Receipts, 12/11/17]

12/20/17: Collins Votes In Favor of Corporate Tax Break [Vote 323 H.R. 1, 12/20/17]

12/26/17: Anthem Insurance Inc. Good Government Program PAC Contributed $1,500 To Collins For Senator. [FEC, Collins for Senate Itemized Receipts, 12/11/17]

1996-Present: Collins Has Accepted $1.01 Million From The Insurance Industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 12/5/19]

Anthem Insurance received $1.1 billion tax benefit from the collins-backed tax bill, with most of the benefits going to shareholders

HEADLINE: “Health Insurance Giants Get Tax Windfall.” [Washington Post, 4/18/18]

HEADLINE: “Anthem Among Health Care’s Biggest Gainers From Federal Tax Cuts.” [Bloomberg, 4/12/18]

February 2018: Anthem Insurance “Told Investors The Largest Share Of The Benefits Of The Tax Bill President Trump Signed Into Law In December Will Go To Shareholders.” “The announcement came days after the health insurance giant told investors the largest share of the benefits of the tax bill President Trump signed into law in December will go to shareholders.” [USA Today, 2/5/18]

Anthem Said “It Reaped A $1.1 Billion Benefit From The Tax Cuts.” “Indianapolis-based Anthem said in February that it reaped a $1.1 billion benefit from the tax cuts and planned to make $1,000 contributions to the retirement accounts of more than 58,000 employees and recent retirees.” [Bloomberg, 4/12/18]

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