Campaign contributors in the hospital and health care industries are supporting the opponent of a St. Joseph doctor running to keep his seat in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Apparently, the Republican incumbent’s role in the governor’s failed Insure Missouri plan to expand Medicaid eligibility isn’t water under the bridge.

While no primary existed for the 28th House District race, incumbent Rep. Dr. Rob Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, and Democratic challenger Mark Sheehan have been busy fundraising for the November general election.

And since Mr. Sheehan filed for office in March, the likes of Heartland Health’s Chief Executive Officer Lowell Kruse, Heartland’s Chief Operating Officer Curt Kretzinger and various Missouri Hospital Association political action committees have contributed to his campaign. The association represents Heartland, and Mr. Kruse sits on the state group’s board of trustees. Other health care-related check writers include the Missouri Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers and the Health Care Leadership Committee.

“There’s very little I can do about enemies he’s made,” Mr. Sheehan said. “I didn’t ask for their support … We agree on one thing, and that’s that Rob Schaaf shouldn’t be down there.”

Dr. Schaaf, who received a $325 donation from a Hospital Association PAC in December before controversy clouded Insure Missouri’s path, said he expected as much.

“After I led the effort that stopped the illegal rollout of Insure Missouri, I’m not surprised they would back my opponent,” he said.

Dr. Schaaf ruffled plenty of white jackets this spring when Insure Missouri became so entangled in politics it never came up for a vote.

The chairman of a health care transformation committee, Dr. Schaaf had attached controversial transparency and hospital competition provisions that many legislators wouldn’t support after an intense lobbying effort from the Missouri Hospital Association.

Political action committees representing the association itself and its central, Kansas City, Northwest and Southeast districts each donated $325 to Mr. Sheehan’s campaign — all on the same day, July 2.

“Clearly we are in support of Mark Sheehan,” said Daniel Landon, the association’s senior vice-president of governmental relations. “We have bumped heads … with Dr. Schaaf on a number of issues for a number of years.”

He added that Dr. Schaaf has been at odds with Heartland over the years, as well.

“I would say we are watching the race closely,” he said, noting the association donates to many state races, “but we’re particularly watching that one.”

Mr. Kruse was in Columbia, Mo., late this week and didn’t return a phone call from the News-Press.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, who also is Heartland’s chief marketing/communications officer, said the hospital itself makes no political endorsements or campaign contributions to candidates, but encourages employees to do so.

“As an organization, (the association was) intensely interested in expanding health care,” said Mr. Shields, who often has sided with the group. “They lay a lot of that blame on Rep. Schaaf, which may in turn be their impetus in supporting Mark Sheehan.”

Asked if Mr. Shields would contribute to his fellow Republican’s campaign, he said he hadn’t been solicited and that he would focus his efforts on Senate races.

“They’re doing more than just watching,” said Bob Ott, chairman of the Buchanan County Central Republican Committee. “They are investing in whatever the alternative investment is, which is a hospital monopoly.”

Mr. Sheehan, a former Opinion editor at the News-Press, has written multiple editorials criticizing Heartland for monopolizing the market and for not being a better community partner.

“I would never promise if I get down there, I’d vote for them from beginning to end,” Mr. Sheehan said. “He can bang that drum that (he’s) the guy to stand up to Heartland — That’s very popular, but by doing that, he’s left out huge chunks of his district.”

Dr. Schaaf noted that the Hospital Association in 2004 supported his legislation that made it into law that requires hospitals to report health care-related infection rates to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

“I think I’ve demonstrated I can work well with hospitals on some issues,” he said. “Apparently they feel so strongly about insulating themselves from increased competition that they’re willing to enter this race.”

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.