Winning hearts and minds on healthcare
As Congress races to try to get a healthcare overhaul bill to President Obama's desk before the August recess, both political parties are trying to shape public opinion.
Organizing for America, Obama's grassroots group now housed within the Democratic National Committee, released a new 30 second TV ad today in which five people hurt by the healthcare system all say "it's time" for the sweeping change. The five (their stories are below) are among hundreds of thousands of people who responded to the group's call for personal stories.
“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,” the group's executive director, Mitch Stewart, said in a statement. “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.”
The ad will run on national cable, on cable in Washington, and on local stations in Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Ohio, calling on moderate senators -- both Republicans and Democrats -- in those states to support the bill.
While Democrats are urging Congress to act, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele asked "why the rush?" in an email today to supporters urging them to get involved.
"The Democrats have learned from their missteps last time they tried to force Americans into a socialized health care system -- the abysmal failure of the Clinton Administration's 'HillaryCare,' " he says. "So now, they are rushing 'Obamacare' through Congress, hoping it avoids the same fate."
Like Clinton's ill-fated plan, Obama and the Democrats -- with a public insurance option -- are seeking government-run healthcare, Steele argues.
"President Obama and Congressional Democrats think government is the solution to every problem. They're wrong," he says. "The government already runs car companies, banks and mortgage companies. Republicans believe that the last thing the American people want is government telling them when and where -- or even whether -- they can get medical treatment for their families.
"You and the RNC are all that stand between our sensible Republican plan for real healthcare reform and the Democrats' scheme to take more of your hard-earned income to pay for other people's health care while limiting yours."
The five Americans featured in the DNC’s new 30 second ad, “It’s Time” include:
o Kimberly Clark (Upper Marlboro, MD): Kimberly Clark’s four year old son has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Though Clark has health insurance, the co-pays, durable medical expenses and other out-of-pocket costs that are required to pay for her son’s care, have put tremendous financial stress on her family.
o Russell Axelson (Alexandria, VA): Russell Axelson lost his insurance when he lost his job. As a diabetic, Russ must take prescription medication daily or he risks becoming seriously ill. While unemployed, he couldn’t afford his own insurance, let alone the cost of his daily medication. Axelson turned to his church for financial assistance until he could find a new job and secure new insurance.
o Alicia Brewster (Herndon, VA): Alicia Brewster is a healthy 27-year old woman with no prior history of medical issues. The small family-owned business she works for can’t afford to provide health insurance for its employees, so Alicia has to buy her own. After she was diagnosed with low blood pressure, her monthly premium jumped more than 50 percent and she was forced to move in with a friend because she could no longer afford her one bedroom apartment and pay her increased health care costs.
o Dean Berlin (College Park, MD): Dean Berlin and his wife have insurance through his wife’s employer. But his in-laws – who live with them – don’t have insurance and haven’t been to the doctor in years. Berlin’s father-in-law didn’t seek care after breaking his ankle because it was too expensive, and since it didn’t heal correctly, he now walks with a limp.
o Judith Trimarchi (Vienna, VA): Judith Trimarchi has chronic lyme disease which requires her to take multiple antibiotics over extended periods of time. She used to have insurance through her husband’s plan, but he recently got laid off from his white collar job. Because of the high cost of COBRA, her family is now living on one quarter of his old salary and their coverage runs out in October of 2009.
About Political Intelligence
Glen Johnson is Politics Editor at boston.com and lead blogger for "Political Intelligence." He moved to Massachusetts in the fourth grade, and has covered local, state, and national politics for over 25 years. E-mail him at johnson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globeglen. |
