Health Care Reform Stakeholders To Stay Active During Recess
Groups that support or oppose the ongoing efforts on health reform have planned to remain active and visible throughout the congressional recess marking Veterans Day this week, the Wall Street Journal reports. The House adjourned for a week-long break, while the Senate is taking a break from Wednesday through the weekend.
The Employment Policies Institute on Wednesday announced an eight-week to 10 week, $10 million advertising campaign in Arkansas, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska and North Dakota -- states represented by moderate senators who are being wooed by the Democratic and Republican leadership to take a side on the health reform debate.
The conservative seniors group 60 Plus Association also announced the launch of a $1.5 million ad campaign targeting Democrats who voted for the House reform bill (HR 3962) and are from states home to senators who have not indicated their positions in the reform debate.
The National Republican Congressional Committee is considering a round of radio ads in some states, while House Republican leaders have urged state GOP officials to host health care town-hall meetings and events with local health providers. According to the Journal, GOP leaders have provided guidelines and talking points that criticize the House bill (Bendavid/Radnofsky, Wall Street Journal, 11/12).
In a letter to the state officials, House Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence (Ind.) wrote, "The legislative battle over health care reform is not over," adding, "We must continue to oppose [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.)] health care bill and stand by the American people in support of Republican-offered solutions" (House/Friedman, CongressDaily, 11/10).
Meanwhile, the Foundation for Patients' Rights -- which includes the Service Employees International Union and other groups -- has started a television ad campaign in districts in California, Delaware, Illinois and Ohio represented by Republican House members who opposed the bill.
MoveOn.org, which supports health reform, is airing TV ads criticizing six House Democrats who opposed the bill.
Health Care for America Now, a coalition of groups that favors a health system overhaul, this week organized "welcome home" parties for House members who voted for the reform bill.
Some pro-reform groups also have begun airing ads in various states thanking House members who voted for the bill, while others have organized nearly 140 rallies nationwide on Thursday, the Journal reports (Wall Street Journal, 11/12).
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