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

[flpoljunkie]

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.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/37682-1.html?type=printer_friendly

[MidwestTransplant]

1. OMG the AARP want's to have their members killed in death panels. How can a group survive by

killing off its members and poor Trig Palin.

[flpoljunkie]

4. You're bad!

:fistbump:

[lamp_shade]

2. Hurray!!

[DCBob]

3. The Repubs are terribly disturbed by the AARP doing this.

They think Obama has paid them off. Idiots.

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Fox News Channel??? really?? hmmm...nt

[madamesilverspurs]

6. AARP was on a long list of evildoers

at the AFP/GOP anti-reform rally here last week. According to the rally speakers AARP, MoveOn, ACORN, Democrats, liberals, progressives and the "liberal media" are conspiring to make the disruptors look bad. One of the speakers, Scott Renfroe (R, Colorado state senator, notorious for equating gays to murderers), asked the crowd which they prefer, Obamacare or Blue Cross.

Kinda takes away the need to wonder who's behind the efforts to kill the conversation, doesn't it?

[flpoljunkie]

7. Big money is on the line here. Big Money. Big Lies!

[global1]

8. AARP Is Really An Insurance Company In Disguise - Why Is It I Don't Trust Them On This?.......

I see that a number of Seniors are dropping their membership in AARP. Is AARP doing this because they really want health care reform or are they doing it to stave off their recent loss of membership?

I just don't trust them. Something here is fishy and I can't put my finger on it.

[dflprincess]

12. They are a fraud

and sold out to United Health Group long ago. If the for profit insurers go away they won't be able to sell their "seal of approval" to anyone.

[progressoid]

23. Yeah, I'd like to say I'm cautiously optimistic,

but I'm mostly just cautious and a little suspicious of their motives.

But it would be nice if they can throw some cold water on the boothers, birthers, and teabaggers.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

24. I don't blame you for not trusting them, however...

AARP does seem to know how bad they effed up on Medicare, and has been trying to regain trust ever since. I don't really trust them either, but I'm inclined to see where this leads.

[Wednesdays]

9. K&R

:kick:

[Wednesdays]

10. K&R

:kick:

Oops, sorry for the dupe. LOL, I guess I REALLY like this thread! :hide:

[Cha]

11. Hallelujah, AARP!

Thank you, for standing up for Americans!

"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.”

[anneboleyn]

14. I am very happy that they are getting involved. The t.v. spots that the repubs are running here are

horrible misleading and are targeted directly at seniors -- with pictures of seniors, abandoned in wheelchairs, being told they will be cut off from all medical care. etc. It is unbelievable. I hope the AARP hits this hard with a major media blitz.

[Cha]

15. It's tragically pathetic and one thing AARP

wiil do is correct that.

[RBInMaine]

13. NICE FRAME: "Opponents Of Reform" (SHOUT IT A MILLION TIMES !)

[JimWis]

16. Good news. I think the majority of the deep fears about health

reform are being felt by seniors. Maybe this will help.

[DailyGrind51]

17. Maybe I'm not the only one not renewing membership?

[Faygo Kid]

18. Plenty of Freepers doing the same, I'm sure.

Your choice, and I respect that.

[DailyGrind51]

19. Prior to listening to Thom Hartman, I only thought AARP was a shill for "Insurance", but harmless.

[OwnedByFerrets]

26. Me too.

[RebelOne]

21. I just renewed my membership.

Mainly because I am saving a bundle on auto and mobile home insurance through AARP.

[DailyGrind51]

22. State Farm gives me much better rates on both, AARP's quote was no savings!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

20. Good?

:shrug:

[OwnedByFerrets]

25. When AARP starts applauding this bill, we should ALL

be very afraid.

[Kolesar]

27. This is great news!!!!!!!

[Kber]

28. GOP Alienation Check list

African Americans - check
Latinos - check
AARP - in progress


Are they working for the DNC these days?

[Tyler Generation]

29. Aren't the AARP accused of being liberal by the right?

I'm pretty sure I read something along those lines once.:shrug: