I have to disagree, DC. Yes, it's pork. Perhaps, however, it's pork for a reason. Those prevention programs may be in danger because local legislation can no longer fund them (for example, I know that both my state and county have publicly funded smoking cessation programs). With the squeeze on local governments, perhaps those programs are in danger of being suspended, and a congressman is pushing for the pork in order to keep those important programs active for his or her constituents.

I'm not saying that this arm-twisting is new or unusual, nor am I happy about it. However, as I know that you are an experienced businessman, you should know that there's always some compromise to get something accomplished. Just because there's a new face in The White House, it's naive to expect less.