Obama Campaign Arm Targets Critical Dems And GOP In Late Health Care Push

Barack Obama's campaign arm is going after Republican and Democratic Senators alike in a major new health care reform advertising campaign that could last for the remainder of the month.

Organizing for America's 30-second spot, titled "It's Time," was formally made public to reporters including the Huffington Post in early July. Now the details of the ad, which frames the need for health care reform around personal stories of struggle, have officially been released. And they're impressive.

OFA will be running the ad on national cable, the District of Columbia, local stations in Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska and Ohio, and major online news sites. While no financial figure for the purchase was offered, an official with the group said the spot will be airing for the next two weeks -- roughly to the point when the Senate Finance Committee is hoping to finalize its version of health care legislation.

From the details it is easy to infer just which Senate votes the White House and, by extension, leadership in the Democratic Party see as most critical to health care's passage. No Senators are named in the ad. But the spot is airing in the home states of critical moderates - Senators Ben Nelson, D-NE, Olympia Snowe, R-ME, Susan Collins, R-ME, Mary Landrieu, D-LA, and Blanche Lincoln, D-AR - as well as recalcitrant Democrats - Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. - and retiring Republicans - Senators Mel Martinez, R-FL, and George Voinovich, R-OH.

"Millions of Americans lose their health insurance when they lose their job, are denied care because of a pre-existing condition, and delay care or skip medication because they can't afford it," said OFA Executive Director Mitch Stewart in a statement trumpeting the ad's release. "Skyrocketing health care costs are hurting American families and straining already-strapped budgets for businesses and governments. It's time to reform our health care system to lower costs, preserve patient choice and ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable care."

OFA itself has tried to influence the health care debate through the collective power of its 13 million members. The organization, which is left over from the Obama presidential campaign and operates in basic coordination with the Democratic National Committee, has hosted house parties on the need for reform. It has also sponsored online town halls for its members and launched a website aimed at allowing individuals to share their personal stories of medical struggle.

Through it all, an OFA official says, the broader goal remains to make common citizens the face and voice of the need to systematically overhaul the health care system. The ads, which come as two major Senate committees (Finance and HELP) are finalizing work on respective outlines for health care legislation, are the latest and most aggressive steps in that process.

Comments

[Avanti2]

This is just like the Liberals,use an ad to Eat there Young

[Tazru]

Another Poster Child for why we need to get working on rehabilitating our School Systems.

[Emlyn]

You apparently don't know the difference between "their" and "there."

[Dustee]

You are just like Sarah Gump Palin - - - brainDead!

[logicalchoice]

ins is a scam! they have the right to drop you after a decade of paying premiums just because you became a greater ris k. this happens in home owners ins, medical, car. There should be laws that regulate this, but the people that sit on those committees either, don't care, are lazy, or are getting paid to do nothing. Sue ins in small claims as often as possible. take back your power. vote those slo bs out.

[rhondadavis28]

YES WE CAN

PASS HELATH CARE

NEED TO UNDERSTAND - GIVE AND TAKE TO GET IT DONE

[kenstrolle]

Any body that votes against health care for the people that are dieing because they can not
afford a doctor( very very sad if it was your family) because a lobbist payed them, are self centered bigs and alot worst!!!
We need the list after so we can vote them OUT,OUT,OUT. Please Make a LIST!!!!

[PaxEterna]

Single Payer.

The rest is folly.

No, it is criminal.

These people, along with some other sectors of our society, ought to be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.

[TheAntiNixon]

Yeah, they want us to call senators to pass a weak bill that will give a watered-down public option in 2013. It's a perfect example of controlling the debate and shifting it to the right.

[TheAntiNixon]

Well, hopefully the message gets stronger than that.

Pretty weak ad IMO, and it needs a better director.

[Zia]

If there is a single democratic house member opposing the healthcare reform, I will put my money to defeat him/her in the primary. I think millions of others will do the same - and that is our promise.

[CarlaR]

Do you all understand that the proposed House bill "could" cover 37 million of the uninsured by 2019, leaving at least 17 million uninsured AFTER TEN YEARS?

Do you understand that the so-called "public option" will not be available to anyone until at least 2013? Nothing like giving private insurance another four years to get ready and make sure the "public option" will not be competitive.

Do you know how long it took to cover 95% of the elderly with Medicare in 1965, before computer use was widespread? It took all of ELEVEN MONTHS.

Americans must become educated about HR676, Improved and Expanded Medicare for All. To date, 85 House members have co-sponsored the bill introduced by John Conyers.

Medicare: Made in America! We know how to do this! Come to D.C. on July 30th to celebrate the 44th birthday of Medicare and lobby our representative for REAL healthcare reform, not this phoney stuff they're pushing.

[TheAntiNixon]

Yeah. It's sickening.

...literally.

[Emlyn]

Please don't call people on Medicare "elderly." You make them sound as if they are 99 years old. Also, a lot of people on Medicare are disabled and not of retirement age.

[richfair]

YES!!!

[richfair]

Any ad or commentary that does not clearly state the NECESSITY for a Public Option is not only weak but gives those politicians who vote against a public option an excuse. ("I voted for healh care reform.")

There is no health care reform without A CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS PUBLIC OPTION:
-Medicare (for everyone who elects it ) is the best example. It works for everyone who has it-ask anyone who is on Medicare.

We need to make public in every way possible the names of those Senators and Representatives who vote against a public option so that when they come up for reelection the people will kick them out!

[PNG]

The trouble with the attempted passages of any type of single payer/public health care option is really two-fold: The fact that American culture is based primarily on consumerism and the 'right' to revenue and profit, hence the interfering confluence of the Pharmaceutical and medical industries in lobbyist politics. The second being the by-product of the ardent perception that socialized medicine somehow is 'socialism' in and of itself, dating back tho the Cold War.

The irony is that the most urbane AND humane answer in all this IS the socialized aspect: where all have equal access without the requirement to 'pay-to-live' or be subsidized ourselves just so that we can reclaim international greatness as an 'American society'. This is inhumane as it stands, and many of us who deem ourselves 'patriotic' won't allow such a concept to even reside as an abstract thought, let alone policy due to such false pride. And in the process, people die who can be saved because we're a democracy.. we're AMERICA. We don't 'stoop' for anything remotely resembling something other than affluence and power.

Humorously, this notion actually has caste us backwards. We're not even in the Top Ten in health care.

New Zealand holds the top spot. Their healthcare is socialized.

[wdw505]

i receive great health care.........i don't really care what the "un" through the "wto" has to say...

let us just pay our share of the "un" .....not 75% of the operating cost......then let us watch what happens to the "un"

laughing

[k1k2lee]

Oh goodie for you. So, I guess as long as you are doing okay, the rest of the nation can just sink into the ocean for all you care. You are a rock, you are an island. You need no one. No garbage men, no police, no fire, no schools, no libraries, no parks, no restaurants with busboys or waitresses, no fastfood joints, no Wal-Mart, no grocery store. Nothing at all. You are completely self sustaining, so you need care nothing for any of the people who provide such services to the rest of us. Goodie for you.

[PNG]

wdw513 (..505..wh­atever..):

Well lookee here, another 'one-liner designer!' Congrats on your receiving such great health care! Sorry that the Republican Ol' boy network got destroyed by their own mouths: makes you feel a little out of sorts, doesn't it? So, bashing solid posts has become the new sport de jour, has it? I guess the majority of us concerned about the system must ALL be indigent ETHNIC ne'er do wells huh? I had no idea that Cincinnati had such an incredible economy for hard-working 'caucasians' providing so much 'wealth' and 'opportunity.'

I dare to write a lead-off post consisting of fact and figures about your Utopian Society your currently reside in. Hell, I might MOVE there since its such a living example of Reagan's 'Emerald City on The Hill'! Please! More Info!

[Tazru]

If you are so rich, go buy an island and leave the rest of us alone.

[Winston Smith]

I doubt you recieve great healthcare. I have a major insurance coverage and have seen quality of healthcare go down while prices have quadroupled in 10 years. There is no evidence that the US has great healthcare for any but the top few percent. Same as Mexico or Niger.

[17ladyslippers]

Aren't you the humanitarian? Wow. Are you part of the Social Conservative movement too? I guess empathy and compassion weren't part of your upbringing. Must have been the every man for himself philosophy...

[marleysghost]

I wouldn't cast this as a matter of being "Socialized Medicine." In the first place from the beginning of the Republic the US government has participated in public-private enterprises. Secondly, there are 47 million plus people out there a smart Capitalist health provider could provide for and turn a fair profit. And third, it is a matter of the general welfare of the People, and, in my mind in this day and age, is far overdue. Only the US and South Africa are alone among the industrialized nations not to do this. Nothing against South Africa, but surely we can do better than this.

[mom of three]

Excellent.

[Paisano]

Actually...I think this is weak... We need ads literally directed at the dems who are ready to stab us in the back...

[InfosolutionWiz]

I AGREE!! It Need To Be More DIRECT!!!

[TheAntiNixon]

yeah, i thought the same thing.

[spinns17]

dinos are done next election.we got the names and faces.enjoy unemployment

[Yves Papa]

Here is a story.
I have 2 sister with Kystic fibrosis. In Montréal, Québec. My family is working class, my dad is a fireman, my mom stay at home. We were covered by the RAMQ (Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec)
They were given the best care, were followed by the best doctors and research was done to create treatments to keep them alive. They were getting the most advanced antibiotics and a whole battery of various medications, all for free. If anything happened, my parents were taking them to the hospital and they were treated immediately. The oldest died, as they used to do, in her early twenties.
The youngest ended up on oxygen, and went on to be one of the world's first 5 to receive a lung transplant. In Toronto. Free. Ontario's OHIP has agreements with the RAMQ that made this hassle free. I never saw any insurance paperwork or any hassle with a payer. The single payer, the RAMQ. My sister is still alive. She got married. She has adopted a child. Since all the rejection meds (free) destroyed her kidneys after 15 years, her husband donated her one. Free surgery.

I don't know how to compare the attitude of the health care providers in Canada where you are welcome to be treated with those in America who first ask you for your papers and the co-pay.

[myke3000]

Thank you for sharing this.

We need to hear more stories like this. I also implore everyone to rent or buy Sicko and see if you really think health care for all is such an evil thing. Watch it with your families and friends. Then call your senators and representatives and demand health care for all with (at minimum) a public option for those uninsured.

[k1k2lee]

Amazing story. I wish those who are being brainwashed by right-wing radio talking heads heard these truths. Instead, they hear made-up horror stories designed to make them think such systems don't work. They make it sound like it's all a slippery slope to communist facism. I'm married to an Irishman (born & raised in Dublin). He never had trouble getting excellent care (FREE) for a seizure disorder until he had the misfortune of falling for me and settling here in the US. Since then, it's been one long battle against the Big Blue C**ss. And it has crippled our family financially, even though I have a good job and work long hours at it. This whole thing makes me unutterably sad.

[Emlyn]

My doctor referred me to another doctor and now I have to go in for tests. What did the reciptionist say to me? Not, what test do you need - but - what insurance do you have ? She was more interested in that than in my illness. God help us in the USA.

[Awake-and-Sing]

There will be a lot of trolls on this site between now and the end of the year stating they won't support the Health Care Reform bill for this specific reason or that specific reason. In truth, they are interested in seeing NO bill and are pretending to be disgruntled progressives.

Do not be fooled. $1.4 million dollars of lobbying money a day buys a lot.

Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

[TheIndependenceParty]

Without a Public Option, ... there won't be anything good about it at all. That has to stay in! And if Obama wants an historically great shift, ... he'll press with all his might to get Single-Payer, and put the health insurance industry onto the ashheap of history where it belongs.

[Tazru]

I really am a Progressive. We should not be letting the frame of the dialogue be about 'Insurance", Reform of the Health Care System would mean the end of the domination by insurance. Look at Canada.

Please notice that we just got the same deal as "No-Fault Auto Insurance" for "Health Reform". We needed to have a system of Health Care, not Insurance. The Insurance Industry is not adding value to the System, they are merely taking profits. We do not need that extra layer of middle-men.

[wdw505]

no i am pretty honest i don't want to pay for the lazy and indigent........so no i don't want a bill to pass congress

[Tazru]

We are not fooled by your act.

[rfshunt]

Then you should be solidly supporting health care reform. Sick people are not nearly as productive as people who are well. If we had a health system that took better care of more people, then there would not be nearly as many indigent in America.

[Blair Erickson]

Well if you're truly honest, you'll take your statement to its logical conclusion... "I would rather people who cannot afford health care die because I don't want to pay anything to help them."

[k1k2lee]

Well said

[Coinyer101]

This house plan sux. I will be urging my senators, (both bluedoggs from Arkansas), NOT to support this bill if it mandates and penalizes folks that don't want to pay for bs insurance coverage.

[Awake-and-Sing]

Don't let the perfect by the enemy of the good.

[Tazru]

Please notice that we just got the same deal as "No-Fault Auto Insurance" for "Health Reform". We needed to have a system of Health Care, not Insurance. The Insurance Industry is not adding value to the System, they are merely taking profits. We do not need that extra layer of middle-men.

[Firbolg]

The nay-sayers were right that there would be rationing under any healthcare reform bill.
I just didn’t expect the so-called public option insurance plan to be rationed.

[wdw505]

surprise

laughing

[Tazru]

wataputz

[hark]

Rationing is a complete red herring. Everything is rationed. That's because there's not enough to go around. We use money to ration.

Why would anyone expect health care not to be rationed, and why would anyone think health care is not rationed already? You can't just go order up any test or surgery you want. There has to be a legitimate medical reason, it has to have proven effective, and it has to be AVAILABLE.
And you have to wait in line. You can't just order a heart or liver transplant, for example, or try some experimental form of surgery. If the swine flu comes back with a vengeance, we're going to be caught short. Doesn't matter whether your insurance covers it or not.

We can't, as a nation, use our entire GDP to build a medical infrastructure to take care of any problem at any time for any person. It just can't be done. There will always be rationing. The question is, how do you want to ration it? At one extreme you make health care a right. At the other, you make it available only to the richest among us. What kind of country do we want to be? That's the question. That's the issue.

This is a bogus issue, used by those who don't want reform. It's a loaded word, like "socialism" or "communism" to scare people.

[Chaimirija]

I like that they are pushing evidence based medicine...

[Firbolg]

My point is not that healthcare is rationed. I agree, there is never enough of anything to around.
What I am pointing out is that when the “public option” was floated it appeared that it would be a government run source of coverage available to the public to provide competition to private companies. As now offered it is a restricted to a small sub-set of the public and even then access is delayed and through commissioners or whatever. This is no more a public option than the New York Yacht Club is a public restaurant.

[anothermba]

I like what you said. Faved. :)

[Avanti2]

So why Canada is now allowing the development of Private Health Care Clinic's, Hospitals and Dr. Offices?

Answer: Government Rationing of Services has caused a back load of untreated patients.

[Tom95134]

It's time to start naming names and kicking some butt. Let the American public know just which Republican and Democratic Congressmen and Senators are standing in the way of health care reform so we know who is in the pocket of the health care industry and can vote their butts out of office next year.

[lazercat2008]

I like to know who authored this carpy bill.

[Firbolg]

Insurance and pharmaceutical company CEOs and lobbyists were the authors and Congress just wrote down what they were told.