New Ads Promote Health Law’s Preventive Benefits
They arent campaign ads, but two new television commercials from the Obama administration that promote the presidents health law may also be boosting itsimage.
The ads, which began airing this summer, tout the laws preventive services benefits, including coverage of vaccinations, mammograms and other screenings. For many people, these services will now be available through their health insurance without a co-pay or out-of-pocket costs.
Right now, millions of Americans are using their preventive benefits from the health care law. You can, too, says one of the ads voiceovers.
Asked about the campaign, a Department of Health and Human Services official noted that the health law itself called for an education and outreach campaign. says that, along with explaining the new preventive benefits, the campaign should describe the importance of utilizing preventive services to promote wellness, reduce health disparities, and mitigate chronic disease.
Opponents of the law have criticized HHS for its spending on promotional campaigns. In May,Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., over a $20 million contract that HHS signed with a public relations firm.
Their displeasure has not since dissipated.
It doesnt take a 2,700-page law that raises costs and premiums, hikes taxes on the middle class and raids Medicare to improve preventive health, wrote Michael Brumas, a McConnell spokesman, in anemail this weekto Kaiser Health News.
Portman, who has been mentioned as a potential VP pick for Mitt Romney, sent a to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to request more information about the PR contract. Having not yet received a response, Portman July 31 that would require Sebelius to comply with his request.
Here are the ads, along with transcripts:
Today a mom will see her doctor, a dad will get a screening, a little one will get a vaccine, and a teen will talk with a doc. Right now, millions of Americans are using their preventive benefits from the health care law. You can, too. Not just because there may be no insurance co-pays or out-of-pocket costs, but because of all those tomorrows you want to see. Use your benefits today. Learn more at healthcare.gov.
It isnt just your mammogram — its your teenagers first varsity game. It isnt just your annual exam — its your daughters wedding. Did you know with your health insurance you may now have some preventive benefits with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs? It isnt just your cholesterol screening — its all the tomorrows youre looking forward to. Learn more at healthcare.gov.