Blue Cross spends big to promote legislation

[The Straight Story]

Blue Cross spends big to promote legislation

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has spent $1.1 million since Jan. 1 on TV ads in seven major Michigan cities to promote a legislative agenda that would allow the nonprofit to set its own rates for individuals buying health insurance policies.
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The money bought more than 2,600 TV spots, airing as often as 10 times a night, usually in prime time, including pricier buys during "American Idol," "CSI Miami" and the late-night Jay Leno and David Letterman shows.

By comparison, Put Michigan People First, one of three coalitions of commercial insurers, HMOs and others opposed to the legislation, has spent $65,000 on radio and print ads, according to Mike Nowlin, a Lansing public relations specialist who serves as the coalition's spokesman.

The two advocacy advertisements by Blue Cross began airing in mid-January. They promote four bills that would change the rules and pricing of individual insurance policies now purchased by 388,000 people in Michigan.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/BUSINESS06/803030311&imw=Y

[xchrom]

1. spend that money covering your claims -- bluecross.