NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Drug and medical device maker Baxter International Inc. spent $900,000 lobbying on health care issues in the second quarter, according to a recent disclosure report.

The company lobbied on drug-related issues, patent protection and government health care coverage, according to the form filed July 21 with the House clerk's office.

Baxter pushed for more funding for kidney disease awareness. Baxter markets the blood thinner heparin which is used by kidney patients to prevent clotting during dialysis.

Earlier this year, Baxter recalled all of its heparin vials due to contamination that has been linked to deaths and allergic reactions. The Food and Drug Administration has said it suspects the problems stem from a contaminant found in raw heparin imported from China.

The Deerfield, Ill.-based company also lobbied on free trade agreements with Korea and Columbia.

Baxter opposed an effort in Congress to reform the U.S. patent system. High-tech companies support the bill that passed the House last year, saying it would cut down on frivolous patent-infringement lawsuits. But the pharmaceutical industry has argued it will weaken patent protections on drugs by reducing infringement penalties. The bill has stalled in the Senate and is not expected to pass this year.

Besides Congress, Baxter lobbied the departments of Commerce and Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Trade Representative in the April-June period.

Deborah Williams, a former staffer with the House Ways and Means Committee, was among those lobbying on the company's behalf.