August 13, 2009 11:07 AM

White House Health Care Push Goes Viral

By
Mark Knoller
Topics
Health Care
(CBS/White House)
Up against increasingly vociferous criticism of and opposition to the health care plan President Obama wants, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod has launched an e-mail campaign to fire back.

Axelrod wants to refute what he calls "the viral emails that fly unchecked and under the radar, spreading all sorts of lies and distortions."

His Internet outreach reflects growing concern at the White House that the president's efforts to enact an overhaul of the health insurance system in America are encountering unexpectedly tough resistance and are in trouble.

Mr. Obama is doing three town hall meetings this week to make his case on health care. He did one Tuesday in Portsmouth, NH. He has another tomorrow in Bozeman, MT and a third on Saturday in Grand Junction, CO.

At the start of Axelrod's e-mail, which he addresses to "Dear Friend," he quotes the president from Tuesday's event, speaking out against "wild misrepresentations" of the health care plan he wants. He said opponents were citing provisions "that bear no resemblance to anything that's been proposed."

Since it doesn't cost more to e-mail five pages than five words, Axelrod's chosen the former to make his case. His missive includes what he describes as:

-- "8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage"

-- "8 common myths about reform"

-- and "8 reasons we need health insurance reform now."

The arguments he makes for the president's health care plan are familiar and start with an end to denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Among the "myths" he cites are opposition claims that the administration plan amounts to "a government takeover" of health care that will lead to "rationing." "To the contrary," writes Axelrod, "reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies."

He also seeks to reassure senior citizens, insisting "it's myth that health insurance reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits."

Axelrod urges his e-mail recipients spread his message and "start a chain email of our own."

He clearly doesn't mind if his e-mail goes viral.

(CBS)
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.

Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
by kasey3233 August 14, 2009 8:26 AM EDT
Mr. Axelrod - I'm 76 years old. I have been subjected to a plethora of so-called politicians over the years who "know what's good for me". As Duran said - "No mas!". The Dodds, Franks, Pelosis, etc ad nauseaum, are concerned with only one thing, getting reelected to the cornucopia of power and money. Pelosi drools over the possibility of 11 million or so illegals becoming instant citizens and controlling 55 electoral votes. The Obamacare bill was written by attorneys - when have they ever been anything but self-serving? Perhaps the most telling point is that they do not want to be covered by the bill as will the poor taxpayers. Mr Kennedy has attempted to make certain of that with his "exempt" rider. Politicians have, at least in my lifetime, been completely unable to see the effects of their machinations at any point in time after tomorrow. I am certain we will once more bare the brunt of their "good will". If they were bearing it with us, I would feel much more at ease. As it is, I am certain we are going to take it in the ear yet again.
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by willnotsupportit August 14, 2009 1:33 AM EDT
Some people who have never registered to get emails from the WH got the email.
If any of us did this we would be accused of spamming which I believe is a crime.

But it really does not matter, he can and will pass that bill wether we like it or not. When they get back to Washington in September they will pass it with 50 members no discussion.
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by patrick_heard August 13, 2009 10:10 PM EDT
We need health care reform.

We're getting ripped off by the system as it current exists.

What's the best way to reform it? I don't know. But in its current form, it is a drain on our wallets.

Reform will happen. It must. This should not be conservative vs. liberal. We're all Americans.

What is wrong with paying for each other to have health care? It's not socialist. It's American !
Reply to this comment
by negrak August 13, 2009 7:06 PM EDT
Why do so many of you neglect to do your research before publicly commenting on current events? Seriously, it's so disheartening to read these hateful, misspelled, inaccurate comments. Some of you don't seem to understand that your very own political opinions are entirely self-defeating. It's frightening and certainly doesn?t inspire constructive, creative discussion. Speak out. But don't be contemptuous and inarticulate. Just spend a little time thinking before you write or speak. Please, be responsible.
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by 1notrub11 August 13, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
I agree to a large extent with stormerf. The way they are "needing" to defend what they have produced thus far reeks of known unacceptability.

Start addressing known concerns, rewrite ambiguous sections and start thinking from the viewpoint of the "average" citizen out there, if you want to understand their concerns. It should be about the people, not about agendas. And be prepared to "fire" well paid representatives, who cannot tell you about the bills they sign.

These guys started the fire by railroading stuff through - again the only valid reason to use such an approach is that you are seriously worried about the opinions of the many. As far as I am aware, this is still a government of the majority, with checks and balances.
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by babyblues09 August 13, 2009 1:41 PM EDT
Regardless of what political party you belong to, or what beliefs you adhere to... educate yourself by checking out the policy for yourself. Go to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text to see it with your own eyes ~ read it & see how it all sits with you. Otherwise, do a google search for the actual policy of 1,000 plus pages & read it in it's entirety. (I personally find it astounding that a policy that long was thrown at our representatives to quickly pass in a matter of wks. - not quite sure where they expected the reps to have the time to review it.)
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by TheMasses2016 August 13, 2009 12:49 PM EDT
Forced Socialism is not the answer.

Funny how Obamas poularity is decreasing.

HA!
Reply to this comment
by emelder2 August 13, 2009 12:29 PM EDT
Such hate in here lately! I like President Obama and believe him to be a good and honorable President. Yet, I'd like to see a single payer plan. Maybe it's time for Barack to pull it all back ... too many competing plans and untruths circulating in congress and across the nation anyways. Then put forth a White House plan, pretty much for an up and down vote in congress. We need to move more quickly in order to do an end-run around the many, many lobbyists and special interests who have mobilized to paralyze, then defeat, one or more of the plans currently in congress. Let's stand behind our President and stop the hate, people!!!!
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by negrak August 13, 2009 7:37 PM EDT
Here here. Stop the hate.
by creeper00 August 13, 2009 12:24 PM EDT
I'll sign on to government health care right after Obama and Congress agree to accept it for themselves. From the looks of those town hall meetings, that's the thinking of most Americans.

Is there anyone on this forum who believes Congress should have a separate plan? And is there anything in that 1,000-page work-in-progress to indicate that they won't?
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by grabandgo August 13, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
why is nobama trying to force his health care on America so badly.
Isn't he supposed to be FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE?

Why did he cut a backroom deal with pharmaceutical companies that will cost us over 80 BILLION DOLLARS?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCbwde1iRLQ
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