Obama Group Expands Health Care Ads
Organizing for America, the group affiliated with the Democratic National Committee that grew out of President Barack Obama’s winning campaign, is expanding its advertising blitz to pressure House Members to support health care reform legislation.Like similar 30-second ads released earlier this week featuring individuals sharing personal stories, the new ads carry a generic message of “It’s time for health care reform” as several people give personal accounts of why reform is needed.OFA Director Mitch Stewart said the five people featured in the 30-second spot were among hundreds of thousands of Americans who shared their stories with OFA and called their stories emblematic.“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,— Stewart said. “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 be running in 15 media markets around the country, all in districts represented by members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.Earlier this week, OFA began running ads urging skeptical Senate Democrats to embrace health care reform legislation.The new ad is running in Savannah, Ga.; Palm Springs, Calif.; Seattle; Nashville, Tenn.; Bloomington, Ind.; Sacramento, Calif.; Salt Lake City; New Orleans; Pittsburgh; Charlotte, N.C.; Little Rock, Ark.; Columbus, Ohio; Marquette, Mich.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; and Medford, Ore.The ad comes as Organizing for America is set to hold a week’s worth of events dubbed “Health Care Reform Week of Action,— which will feature nationwide efforts by activists to drum up support for Obama’s health care proposals.