Roll Call: AARP Launches Multimillion Dollar Ad Campaign To Calm Fears About Healthcare Reform

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AARP Launches Multimillion-Dollar Ad Campaign
Aug. 10, 2009, 11:46 a.m.
By Kate Ackley
Roll Call Staff

AARP, the senior citizens’ lobbying group, this week is launching a multimillion-dollar advertising blitz aimed at calming fears and dispelling what it calls “myths” about health care reform that are giving its members jitters.

The TV, radio, online and print ads will push for reform, while rebutting some of the criticisms of plans to change the heath care system.

“We wont stand idle when opponents of health care reform attempt to scare or mislead the American people — and older Americans in particular — about what fixing the system really means,” AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond said in a statement. “The truth is we need to fix health care, whether it’s ensuring affordable coverage for Americans age 50 to 64 or improving benefits for people in Medicare. It’s time for the public to get the real facts.”

In addition to the advertising campaign, AARP is stepping up its grass-roots advocacy in all 50 states as Members are back in their districts for the August recess. The group plans to host more than 80 events, including dozens of town-hall meetings with Members.

“The opponents of reform will stop at nothing to derail the process and protect their own vested interests — even if it means misleading older Americans,” LeaMond said. “We’re here to make sure everyone knows the facts and not the myths.”

The ad buy is scheduled to run through mid-September. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has said his committee, which is working on a bipartisan health reform bill, needs to wrap up by Sept. 15.

“Special interest groups are trying to block progress on health care reform using myths and scare tactics. Like the myth that health care reform will give the government the power to make life-and-death decisions for everyone,” an announcer says in one of AARP’s ads. “That’s simply false. The fact is, no one, including the government or your insurance company, will be given power to make life-and-death decisions for anyone regardless of their age. Those decisions will be made by you, your doctor and your family.”

The TV ads will run on CBS, Fox News Channel, Lifetime and MSNBC, while the online ads will appear on CNN.com and ABCNews.com.

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