Cancer Society Begins $15M Ad Campaign on Uninsured
The American Cancer Society on Monday began a $15 million advertising campaign that seeks to make expansion of health insurance a top priority for presidential candidates and highlight the challenges for cancer patients who lack coverage, CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 9/17).
As part of the campaign, three television ads will air on network and cable stations through Thanksgiving, and ads will appear in magazines and on Web sites (Stobbe, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/18).
The ads, which feature two cancer patients, will air about nine times weekly and will target politically active viewers. The ads will not endorse specific candidates or health insurance proposals, although ACS will take positions on the plans after lawmakers introduce them as legislation.
In addition to the ads, the ACS Web site will include questions that voters should ask candidates to determine the adequacy of their health insurance proposals. ACS volunteers also will ask candidates to sign pledges to make expansion of health insurance their top priority as president (CQ HealthBeat, 9/17).
ACS CEO John Seffrin said, "We're not going to meet our goals if the health care system remains unfixed" (AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/18).
According to ACS Cancer Action Network President Daniel Smith, "Voters have a critical role to play in improving the health care system."
Richard Wender, president of ACS volunteers, added, "Unfortunately, millions of Americans think they are covered but find out too late that their insurance is inadequate, and, as a consequence, they often face substantial financial burdens, including being denied the care they need" (CQ HealthBeat, 9/17).
CBS' "Evening News" on Monday reported on the campaign. The segment includes comments from Seffrin (Cobiella, "Evening News," CBS, 9/16). Video of the segment is available online. Expanded CBS News coverage also is available online.
NPR's "All Things Considered" on Saturday included a discussion with Seffrin about the campaign (Adams, "All Things Considered," NPR, 9/15). Audio of the segment is available online.