March 16, 2010 11:30 AM

Groups Seek to Influence Health Care Debate Without Disclosing Donors

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Health Care

The League of American Voters has paid $550,000 for a new round of ads starting this week that target members of Congress who they think are "persuadable" when it comes to their vote on the health care bill, according to Bob Adams, the group's executive director.

The ad buy will bring the expenditures of the group, which was founded in July, up to about $900,000 so far, Adams told Hotsheet.

"We're trying to kill the bill," he said. The group went up with ads in the first week of March in 11 districts; Adams said its ads would be in 21 districts by tomorrow and will ultimately run in roughly 30.

A typical ad from the group is above; many of the spots that make air are "cookie cutter" ads that stick to the same images but swap out the lawmaker's name and accompanying information.

A 501(c)4 non-profit organization, the League is not required by law to disclose its donors. Asked if he would discuss them, Adams said the group had 60,000 members and is "funded by individual donations from all across the country." He says the insurance, medical and pharmaceutical lobbies had not donated to the group. The information cannot be confirmed independently.

"We don't have fat cats bankrolling us like the other guys do," said Adams. He said there was no one individual or group responsible for a majority of the money coming in to help pay for the spots, and that the group had used e-mail outreach and Internet appeals to bring in money.

So why, then, not disclose the donors?

"I will never disclose the name of our donors. When you get down to it, practically, if we were able to disclose the names of our donors, the other side would harass them to the end of the earth," Adams said.

In a September piece on an ad from the League arguing that the health care reform effort "will hurt our seniors," the Huffington Post reported that the group was founded by, among others, political operative Dick Morris, and that it produced an ad within two weeks of being formed.

Conservative attorney James Bopp Jr. is affiliated with a similar group, The Committee for Truth in Politics, a 501(c)4 that spent $2.3 million on ads earlier this year (and that ran a misleading spot criticizing then-candidate Barack Obama during the presidential campaign). The group lacks a Web site and reportedly does not identify its staff or donors.

Bopp, who sued the Federal Election Commission in 2008 over requirements that groups disclose who they are and how much they spend on ads, told Politico last week that he didn't know who was bankrolling the Committee for Truth in Politics and that he "wouldn't tell you if I did."

"They have a right to confidentiality of their donors; like many groups, they're going to respect that confidentiality," he told Politico.

Indeed, groups on both sides of the political spectrum, among them a branch of MoveOn.org, have incorporated pressure groups that don't have to disclose their funding in an effort to push their agenda.

But there is a fierce debate over whether or not that's a good idea. While some believe what amounts to anonymous free speech should be protected, others feel that disclosure can "make public discourse more robust," in the words of Center for Responsive Politics Communications Director Dave Levinthal.

"If an organization that is engaging in a media campaign for or against an issue or for or against a candidate declines to disclose where they're getting the money that is fueling those campaigns, it's just more difficult to track their motivation," Levinthal told Hotsheet. He noted that such a group could be funded by people or organizations that "have special interests or narrow interests that may or may not be in the public interest."

The issue of transparency will likely come to the foreground as Congress considers how and if to regulate corporate spending on political ads in the wake of the January Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, which cleared the way for corporations to spend unlimited money on campaign advertising even close to an election. It meant that even one week before election day, a company could donate to an interest group that could run the spot on its behalf; while the interest group's name would appear in the ad, the name of the company bankrolling it would not.

Democrats are looking for ways to limit the impact of the ruling, from mandating that companies get approval from their shareholders before spending on a political campaign to barring them from using operating funds in campaign advertising.

Under a proposal from Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), CEOs and labor union leaders would have to file campaign donations and expenditures with the Federal Election Commission and appear on camera approving any ads that they run. The proposal also mandates that if an interest group runs an ad, the largest donor to that group would have to make the on-camera disclaimer -- and the top five donors to it would be listed at the end of the ad.


Add a Comment See all 20 Comments
by widodge March 18, 2010 3:28 PM EDT
American's Medical Insurance Cartel.

There is very little difference between America's medical insurance industry and the Oil Cartel, OPEC.
1. Both are unregulated
2. Both control supply and demand(by price and by MD)
3. Both have little competition
4. Both are some of the biggest business in the US
5. Both spend Billions of dollars lobbying the US Congress
6. Both have "broken the bank" in the United States
7. Both cost the U.S Treasury Billions of dollars
America's Medical Insurance Cartel owns the US Congress. Even with the current Healthcare Bill, it is a total windfall of Billions of dollars for Medical Insurance and Pharm companies.

There is still need for a Public Option which will, for the first time, give competition to the America's Medical Insurance Cartel.

But, we need the current Healthcare Bill now. It is still the right thing to do and so very American.
Reply to this comment
by pasmalltown March 16, 2010 9:11 PM EDT
"Groups Seek to Influence Health Care Debate Without Disclosing Donors" - translation: "Money talks, BS walks AND we don't have to disclose who we are".......................how wonderfully convenient, to be able to "influence" without identifying yourself. Surely our Founding Fathers are rolling around in their graves, but hey, they had to deal with "snake oil" too.
Reply to this comment
by reformss March 16, 2010 2:18 PM EDT
I am sick of republicans ,I will never vote for them again .
They are so crazy people .The health care reform bill now is similar to their bill back in 1993 ,so why they oppose It ???
according to Republican party Sarah Palin is the smartest one in group and here is what She said " We used to hustle on over the border for health care ....and I think,isn't that kind of ironic now ? " She admitting that her family used to go to Canada for medical treatment when she was a child , Canada has a single -payer system , which Palin oppose ! (Too bad for Canadian tax payers )
Limbaugh the second smart one in the group also said " I'll just tell you this, if this passes and it's five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented -- I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica." .well too bad ,Costa Rica has had health care for all in 60 years already.( should Costa Rica taxpayers cover health care for this mad man ? )
Republicans :
Don't You learn any thing from housing crisis ? like housing cost in the past ,health care cost is out of control .the next crisis will be health care crisis if health care reform failed ,millions of people may die .
please forget about Republicans ,pass health care reform NOW.
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:35 PM EDT
Why are you angry with the Republicans it is the Dimocrats that can not govern,with a majority in a year they have done nothing? They still have a majority but still can not govern,So go ahead and waste your vote for those who can not govern.
by liberalassole February 12, 2011 2:00 PM EST
Silly Ass. Toy have never voted republican and apparently a product of our very flawed democrat-liberal-can' fire the incompetent teachers school systems. Since you democrat liberals have been in power in the congress for years and your support for abortion has killed hundreds of Americans and you have supported sodomy with your perverted redefinition of the purpose of marriage - exactly what is your *****? Being as these other countries you worship are so great, go to them - GO NOW!! When your jesustttt comes again are going to spit, gag or swallow? Ameica is for the free, not for the stupid Freedom haters like you. :):):)
by reformss March 16, 2010 2:17 PM EDT
Open letter to Members of congress about health care reform :

Dear Members of congress ,
Here are questions for You :

1 - Why we are the only industrial country on earth not have health care for all ? Look at all countries in EU ,England ,France , Italy ,Germany , Japan , Korea ,Canada,Israel ,Spain , ...... Even dictatorship countries like Cuba ,Iran ......offer health care for their citizens .
Do you think we are smarter than the rest of the world ? if You say We can not afford it why we can afford $ 700 billions a year or $ 7 trillion in 10 years on military ( spend on bombs & guns ) ?
What do you expect people around the world think about us when they see We bring injured Dog from Iraq here for treatment ,while we left 50 millions of our own people with out medical care ? ,for sure they think We are insane !!!.
Is your heart breaking when you see thousands of people get in line at midnight under cold weather each time they have FREE check up ? how about a woman never has chance to see doctor in 27 years ?

2 - Do you and your family have health insurance if Yes so why not 50 millions of your fellow citizens NOT ?

3 - How would you feel when any member of your family dies because of having no health insurance ? Think about 45 thousands of your fellow citizens and children die every year because of laking health care .

4 - Children are future of the country , How our sick ,dump unhealthy children and young people can compete with Chinese , Japanese , European children in the future ?.our nation will be strong or not depend on their health , why we not invest on them for the healthy nation ? .


5 - Millions of people use Emergency rooms as primary care .Thousands of Americans file bankrupt every year because of health care bills ,and at the end we still have to pay for them any way, why you are not find the smarter way ?

6 - Why we spend the most on health care but still have 50 millions with out health care with broken system .
7- why don't You learn any thing from housing crisis ? Like housing cost in the past ,health care cost now is sky rocket ,many experts predict the next big crisis will be health care , millions people may die if health care reform failed.

Businesses & companies have to pay to much for health care ,our products become so expensive compare to other countries.
Many talent & skill people being wasted because they have do the job they don't like for health care.
Many inventions & new idea never become new business because the system hold people as hostages , people can not open business because they afraid losing their health insurance.
No wonder unemployment is so high because Jobs can not be created .
Once the health care reform pass , many skills & talents will be discovered , new businesses will be open with new inventions ,new ideas .American products will be exported around the world Instead of import too much from China , many jobs will be created .
Super power special interests have super voice , millions of families have no voice .many comments from Internet ,media may be posted by special interests ,millions of people may not even have Internet access .
Please forget about politic , It can be haft empty & haft full bottle of water story .
Many people support or oppose may not tell full story . Think about many years a go 99 % of people believed the earth was flat .Remember back at the time when many of us believed Women should not be allowed to vote ?
Not long ago 80 % of people opposed medicare & social security bill at that time .
After 9/11 80 % of us believed war on Irag was good idea . some times special interest control story ,tell people the story they want and control mind of people , so please forget about politic.
Please stand up and do what is right for future of our country .I believe if you vote YES on health care reform ,history will remember you as hero of our great nation .

Take an action , pass health care reform NOW.
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:38 PM EDT
Maybe you should move to one of those countries,and pay 45-54% of your income so you can have free health care.Cuba for you,that is why they stand at the dock and beg for bandaids and tylenol,and aspirin from tourists getting off the ships, because their health care is so good.
by liberalme March 16, 2010 4:34 PM EDT
Hey stormer, there you go, perhaps we can go there and work for an "American" company for pittance wages too.
Do the Vietnamese workers for Nike (who had been earning $26.00 a month) stand on the docks begging for tylenol? I sure would be.

You think they pay for health insurance on $26.00 a month?
by retm-w March 16, 2010 2:10 PM EDT
OK we want these donors identified, then the unions have to identify, the names of every member who contribited to their CAP fund. Every organization that's for it has identify every contributer the same as the ones who are against it.
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:39 PM EDT
No,No not the Unions,they have special deals,they are better than the average Tax Payer and can not be bothered by disclosure.
by hateisafourletterword March 16, 2010 2:04 PM EDT
Maybe regular taxpaying Americans who pay for THEIR OWN HEALTH INSURANCE. OMG, could it be a responsible person!
Reply to this comment
by liberalme March 16, 2010 1:50 PM EDT
Let's see, these elected officials, who are paid by our tax dollars don't want to disclose who is contributing to their cause?

These guys are accountable to US, not the health insurance companies, it's our right to know who's lining the pockets of these people!
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:41 PM EDT
You really want to focus the wrath of the Unions to disclose who and how much they give to? You must be kidding they have Obama in their pocket.
by tsigili March 16, 2010 1:34 PM EDT
Patriots.
Reply to this comment
by chitown639 March 16, 2010 1:24 PM EDT
The Insurance Industry trying to protect the profits from their criminal enterprise......
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:43 PM EDT
You go ahead and cancel your insurance,if you think they are so corrupt.Or skip your next welfare check.
by run2jazz2 March 16, 2010 1:09 PM EDT
When you don't see who the donors are who support the messages it is usually someone who has a interest like insurance and medical companies. Cowards!
Reply to this comment
by stormerF2 March 16, 2010 2:44 PM EDT
You assume so much if it was the so called FILTHY RICH insurance companies how come they donated so Little?
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