The investigative journalists at ProPublica offer a report on drug and device industry support for the Heart Rhythm Society which describes itself at “the leading professional group representing the allied specialties of cardiac pacing and cardiac electrophysiology, the Society plays an important role not only in education, but also as an intermediary between government regulatory agencies and its members.”

The story notes that:

Nearly half the $16 million the heart society collected in 2010 came from makers of drugs, catheters and defibrillators used to control abnormal heart rhythms, the group’s website disclosed.

Officials of the Heart Rhythm Society say industry money does not buy influence and is essential to developing new treatments. Still, on Thursday the group unveiled a formal policy that, among other things, requires more detailed disclosure of board members’ industry ties.

The also story reports that many of the Heart Rhythm Societies board members are" paid speakers or consultants for the companies, one holds stock, and the outgoing president disclosed research ties, according to the society’s website, which does not specify how much they receive."

Among the group: Mark Estes, director of the New England Cardiac Arrhythmia Center at New England Medical Center reported receiving less than $10,000 consulting fees or honoraria from Boston Scientific and less than$10,000 in fellowship funds from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Corp. and St. Jude Medical in 2010.

Read the full story @ Boston Health News or ProPublica.

For a bit of history see: “The relationship between the medical industry and health care charities: A challenge for journalists.” It seems not much has changed since 2005.