Health Care Ads Go Retro, With A Twist

(CBS)  Remember Harry and Louise?

They were television icons back in the 1990s - a fictional couple starring not in a sitcom, but in political ads that transformed a very real national debate, reports CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews.

Fifteen years ago, when President Clinton was proposing universal health coverage and First Lady Hillary Clinton was selling it to Congress, the Harry and Louise ads instantly unified the opposition by labeling the Clinton plan a government takeover.

"The government picks health plans, then we have to pick a plan from their list," Louise used to complain to her husband.

Now, fifteen years later, some patient rights and hospital groups are borrowing Harry and Louise. And in this new ad, the couple changes sides in support of health care reform, saying things like, "Too many people are falling through the cracks."

But a lot more has changed besides Harry and Louise, starting with big business. At a recent press conference, the same health insurance lobby that paid out $17 million for Harry and Louise to defeat the Clinton plan now says it supports the idea of universal coverage and likes the new ad campaign.

"It's a different time," said Karen Ignagni, president of American Health Insurance Plans. "Our community believes it's very important to move on an agenda of health care reform."

"I think it shows that the American people are coming together," said Ron Pollack, executive director for Families USA Patient Advocate Group. "Those who were opposed to health care reform in the past now know it's critically important."

Version two of Harry and Louise, by the way, features the very same actors, but the starting budget is around one tenth of the original, sources say.

The groups behind this campaign also won't touch the tough question of which candidate, Barack Obama or John McCain, has the better health care ideas. Their angle is to generate so much public and industry-backed pressure that health care reform is accomplished regardless of who's elected president.

[obbcbs]

the right wing WTO propaganda on behalf of status quo is that government cannot DO anything. So that''s why Bush blew it with Katrina? Its not ''government'' that cannot do anything. Its Republicans who will not lift a finger unless it is to pick up money. Our health care system already costs much more than other nations systems, and no its not the best in the world for the 50 million it doesnt help at all. Our system is the best in one thing, for making money for the companies that run it.

[mnbrant]

I am a mentally ill older vet so of course I am interested in universal health care. Right now I have to call the insurance company every doctor visit I make and argue with them to pay up. Last bill from my psychiatrist they paid 1 dollar of my 110$ bill. of course they always pay up within the year but I am tired and just don''t have the time. I also work 65 to 85 hours a week at 11 bucks an hour. My insurance company is actually better than most in that, even though they have been written up in the Star Tribune for non payment, they actually paid the full cost of my colonoscopy after about a year of fighting. My coworker got hit with a 1700$ bill she didnt pay. I think it was a hospital room charge or something

[jackmayoff2]

eventually the rest of us will be rid of you

maybe your better off defending bush?

[jackmayoff2]

when you have an health problem call around and find the cheapest doctor. eventually the rest of us will be rid of you - Posted by mjvw2

or i could go to cuba, mexico, canada, or france and get free health care

[jackmayoff2]

WE SHOULD EXILE ALL PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR BUSH

[mjvw2]

DOCTORS MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY!
Posted by JackMayoff2

when you have an health problem call around and find the cheapest doctor. eventually the rest of us will be rid of you

[mjvw2]

amazed that some of you want to give the health care system to a government that does absolutely nothing efficiently

[jackmayoff2]

DOCTORS MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY!

[broncfan1661]

The worst thing that can happen is that there will be a lot of lip service in Washington (Just as I''ve seen here) and as usual nothing will be done. We have got to do something to get us out of this Health Care mess. We need leaders
with balls who can get something done and I don''t see that.

[broadwayphi]

McCain released three new ads with multiple false and misleading claims about Obama''s tax proposals.

A TV spot claims Obama once voted for a tax increase "on people making just $42,000 a year." That''s true for a single taxpayer, who would have seen a tax increase of $15 for the year %u2013 if the measure had been enacted. But the ad shows a woman with two children, and as a single mother, she would not have been affected unless she made more than $62,150. The increase that Obama once supported as part of a Democratic budget bill is not part of his current tax plan anyway.


A Spanish-language radio ad claims the measure Obama supported would have raised taxes on "families" making $42,000, which is simply false. Even a single mother with one child would have been able to make $58,650 without being affected. A family of four with income up to $90,000 would not have been affected.


The TV ad claims in a graphic that Obama would "raise taxes on middle class." In fact, Obama''s plan promises cuts for middle-income taxpayers and would increase rates only for persons with family incomes above $250,000 or with individual incomes above $200,000.


The radio ad claims Obama would increase taxes "on the sale of your home." In fact, home-sale profits of up to $500,000 per couple would continue to be exempt from capital gains taxes. Very few sales would see an increase under Obama''s proposal to raise the capital gains rate.