The Health Debate Takes to the Air

by Brad Peck

Coming soon to a TV near you:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will begin airing 30-second ads in about 20 states Wednesday criticizing the Democratic proposal to offer optional government health coverage...The ads show a balloon being inflated until it bursts. The ad says, "Big tax increases, huge deficits, expanded government control of health care. Call Congress."

and to your radio too (listen now), so you can watch, listen, or read about responsible health reform. There is no excuse not to be in the debate.

//Update 12 August - The first TV ad.

Comments

[Minneapolis1]

This seems to show a fundamental misunderstanding of what small businesses in places like Minnesota are facing. We want more access to healthcare and more affordable plans; what you want, it appears, is the survival of the health-insurance industry, not small businesses. I'm turned off from the Chamber by seeing that you're spending lots of money on ad production and media buys for a message like this ("big tax increases": oooh, scary!).

[Michael Ritter]

I am a small business owner and I deeply resent that this organization has become a right wing mouthpiece opposing health care reform while piously intoning that it is "not critical of President Barack Obama's effort". Small business does NOT benefit from the status quo, and your position obviously supports the enormous profits made by the insurance industry under the current system. Your ad consists entirely of fear mongering and does not offer any constructive proposals. I wonder where the millions you are spending on this ad campaign came from? As the old saying goes - follow the money...

[Naomi Schiff]

I urge business people everywhere to take this year's chamber membership money and spend it by contributing to a useful nonprofit which promotes citizens' health and their access to health insurance. The Chamber's lobbying is a complete disgrace, and disingenuous to boot. Time to move into the current century, folks.

[CJ Carey]

"What do you believe is made up?"

Apparently everything. It starts with the "taxes, deficits, government" fear mongering, all of which are not based in HR.3200 or any other reality. It continues with your assertion that the Chamber supports employer based insurance, a scheme which costs employees 8% of their income and is rising at a rate twice their income. It will shortly be unaffordable and collapse in the pattern of AIG. Your efforts are propping up this scam.

False premise and misleading projection added to a plain disinterest in finding the truth. I think "made up" is an extremely mild way to say it.

[ChamberPost]

Naomi - Again, we support employer-based health coverage, we wish it to continue, which is why we oppose the current plans. (BP)

[Naomi Schiff]

As the president of a small corporation, you have given me one more reason to stay away from the Chamber. Our company is proud to offer health benefits, although we have been put at a competitive disadvantage for doing so. The Chamber has no business assisting a head-in-the-sand strategy that will damage business in this country, harm the general welfare of its people, and make us less competitive in the world market as we attempt to shoulder out-of-control health costs. You guys are living in the past. Get over it. Obviously a more level playing field would be good for smaller businesses. And more insurance coverage would reduce costs and taxes for everyone. You are doing the bidding of big health insurance companies, not representing the interests of business in this nation. It exposes the hypocrisy of your organization.

[ChamberPost]

What do you believe is made up? Please be more specific. And by the way, we support employer-based insurance, we support it so much we would like to see it continue. (BP)

[jack Dannels]

I can't beleve you liars are making up more stories . this behavior make me a ashame to be an american. I don't feel sorryu for any unethical business that cant provide insurance for employies. I espacaly loth the walmarts and Targets who make billions of dollars and can't provide insurance. When I start my own business you Can look forward to me never supportring you criminal enterprize.