Coalition Set To Mount Major Ad Campaign in Favor of Health Reform
On Thursday, a newly formed coalition of health care and labor groups will launch a $12 million television advertising campaign aimed at bolstering support for current health reform plans and countering the criticism that has surfaced in recent days at town-hall meetings nationwide, Politico reports.
The coalition calls itself Americans for Stable Quality Care and includes the:
- American Medical Association;
- Families USA;
- Federation of American Hospitals;
- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; and
- Service Employees International Union.
The first 30-second ad, titled "Mean for You," seeks to inform viewers about the benefits they would see if health reform legislation passed and to gather the support of conservative Democrats in the House Blue Dog Coalition and senators who still are undecided about reform plans. It will air for two weeks in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and Virginia at a cost of about $3 million weekly.
The ad is part of a series that will air through the fall.
A coalition official said the groups participating in the campaign "were part of a looser coalition that started back in January that focused on the links between health reform and the economy." The official added, "Now that the debate is turning on what health reform means for the individual, [the groups] felt the need to launch a new front that addresses some of those particulars while debunking some of the myths that are floating around. Plus, these groups recognize that their collective voice packs more punch than if they were to just speak out individually" (Allen, Politico, 8/13). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.