As we have noted in the past, for those seeking to bring clinically-focused wireless health services to market, there are a number of trail blazers in the industry that can provide some clues for go-to-market strategies. We have discussed the FDA and FCC regulatory frameworks facing wireless health as well as the importance of securing reimbursement from (CMS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Of course, to influence the federal government most industries turn to seasoned lobbyists. A quick look at the lobbying activity paid for by two pioneers of wireless health -- CardioNet and LifeWatch -- demonstrates that this industry is no different. Here's how lobbying spend breaks down in the emerging remote cardiac monitoring industry:

Between 2006 and the first half of 2009, CardioNet spent $280,000 on lobbying the various branches of government, including, CMS, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac), House of Representatives, Senate, HHS, Agency for Healthcare Policy & Research, Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office (GAO), Executive Office of the President, Office of Management & Budget. CardioNet lobbied on issues including "remote cardiac services" and "Remote Monitoring Access Act of 2007."

Courtesy of the Center for Responsive Politics

LifeWatch began paying lobbyists in the second quarter of 2008, but between then and now it has already spent some $150,000 on lobbying various government branches and organizations, including the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Veterans Affairs, House of Representatives and the Senate. LifeWatch's key lobbying topic was described as: "Introduce LifeWatch's capabilities and discuss their portfolio of ambulatory health monitoring, especially cardiac monitoring." Here's a look at LifeWatch's lobbyist spending to date:

Courtesy of the Center for Responsive Politics

Harry Truman famously said that if you want a friend in Washington... get a dog. Well, if you want a lobbyist who has experience lobbying on issues related to wireless health, you should check out the firms CardioNet hired, here and the ones LifeWatch has worked with here.