Millions for New Health Reform TV Ads

By Kate Pickert | @katepickert | March 9, 2010 | +

If you’re not a congressman in Washington DC or a voter living in a Congressional district represented by a Democrat (especially one whose vote on the Senate health care bill is uncertain) you’re not the target audience. But rest assured, interest groups are still spending millions on ads for and against Democratic health care reform.

A collection of business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, just launched a reported $10 million ad buy. It will air on national cable and then in districts represented by Democratic congressman who haven’t committed to voting for or against the Senate health care bill. The Association of Health Insurance Plans, the lobby for the insurance industry, just announced it will spend $1 million airing a spot on national cable. Republicans are funding anti-reform billboards in Democratic districts. And on the other side of the debate, Health Care for America Now!, will spend $1 million airing a pro-reform ad in the District of Columbia.

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gysgt213

But no millions for actual health care. Let’s keep Rush in the country and keep subsiding the rest of the world’s health care by paying more for the same or less care. It is after all the American way.
dollared

This is our country, today. Any Congressperson trying to do something for the average American (instead of a big business, or a wealthy constituent), is faced with a blizzard of negative ads.

It is a potent form of intimidation, which works because the media loves the conflict and doesn’t care about 1) good results for Americans or 2) the truth.

The money behind these ads, as well as the money that supports the Republican obstructionists, and the money that pays to organize the Tea Partiers and bus them for free to Washington, is at the heart of the rot in Washington. It all comes from the same sources – the people who have been bankrolling the Republicans for decades.

They are anti-American.
deconstructiva

Thanks, Katie. What gygst and dollar said. Now there’s one huge drawback of a private HC system: the money wasted on marketing, not treatments or R+D for new drugs (NOT copycats just to skirt patent expirations, but I digress). I don’t see teevee ads hawking firearms to police departments. I do see plenty of gun and knife show ads but that’s a different matter.
pafro

I heard you went to that protest in D.C. at the health insurers meeting, that had 1.8 million people at it. How was it? Why no report?
jeriv

You know, I sort of think those congressmen asked for it by still sitting on the fence. The more you wait, the worse it’s going to get for you.

Now they’re going to get bulldozed by mostly negative advertisement, while those congressmen who picked sides clearly are much better for it.

Did these … very intelligent people, obviously… even pay attention to what happened to the glory seekers / fence sitters in the Senate? You reeeally don’t want to be “visible” on this one (see Nelson, Ben, Baucus, Max and Lieberman, Joe for prime examples). Make your choice, and move on.

Now, change of topic. Where do I donate for Bart Stupak’s primary challenger???
lcky9

More BS.. I am already fed up with the hospitals and drug companies selling rare diseases and drugs with so many side effects they cause more diseases..it disgusting .. Now more propaganda..
pilotdude

Hey mr pres, stop worrying about your legacy and drop this health care mess.. Oh by the way we need some jobs filled out there…… just sayin