Why It Matters

UnityPoint Health has terminated its lobbying engagement with McDermottPlus LLC, ending a relationship that stretched at least five years at a consistent quarterly retainer. The termination became effective August 31, according to a filing signed three days earlier.

By The Numbers

McDermottPlus LLC received a total of $200,000 in lobbying fees from UnityPoint Health across five filing periods.

UnityPoint Health's filing with McDermottPlus LLC for 2025 quarter one was for $40,000, for 2025 quarter two was for $40,000, for 2025 quarter three was for $40,000, and for 2025 quarter four was for $40,000. The $40,000 quarterly fee remained stable across years, indicating a predictable engagement.

McDermottPlus LLC has served UnityPoint Health continuously for at least 5+ years at a consistent $40,000/quarter retainer.

The Broader Context

UnityPoint had been working with McDermottPlus on Medicare reimbursement and payment policy—one of the most volatile battlegrounds in healthcare advocacy. The firm also lobbied on Medicaid, the 340B drug pricing program, safety net providers, and healthcare workforce issues, according to first quarter 2025 disclosures.

Multiple bills are pending in the 119th Congress, including the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 and the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025.

A bill UnityPoint tracked in 2022—the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of 2022—eventually passed and was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. More recently, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provided only a one-year fix to Medicare physician payment rates and did not retroactively address the 2025 Medicare payment cut.

The 340B drug pricing program, another focus of UnityPoint's lobbying, has not been legislatively reformed. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not amend the 340B statute.

The firm's lobbying team included Rodney Whitlock, a Vice President with prior congressional staff experience and member experience with Rep. Charles Norwood (R-GA-10); Josh Jorgensen, a Director who served as a Legislative Aide to Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD); Debbie Curtis, a Principal with prior government experience; and Katie Waldo, a Senior Director also with prior government experience.

The Bottom Line

UnityPoint traces its roots to 1993, when Iowa Methodist Hospital and Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines merged to form what was then known as the Iowa Health System.

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article