Arkansas Democrats Sen. Blanche Lincoln and Rep. Mike Ross -- who have both come out against including a "public option" in health reform -- are now being targeted by ads from the progressive blogosphere that imply they'll oppose their re-election in 2010 if they don't change course.
The ads come from the FDL Action PAC -- a spin-off of the blog Firedoglake -- and aim to hit media markets that cover "100%" of Rep. Ross' district and 60% of markets state-wide. Here's the ad:
The ad cites a June 2009 study by the Commonwealth Fund, which found that a strong public option would lead to an overall cost savings of $3 trillion -- including saving each person roughly $2,000 in insurance premiums. The system of private plans inside a "co-op exchange," as advocated by Sen. Lincoln and Rep. Ross, would result in only $200 in personal savings.
As Facing South reported earlier, Arkansas consumers also suffer from having the least competition in their health insurance market in the country. Just one insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arkansas, dominates 75% of the health insurance market in Arkansas.
Rep. Ross' district has the dubious distinction of also including the city with the least health insurance competition in the nation: the Texarkana metro area, where BCBS Ark runs 97% of the market.
UPDATE: The group Change Congress is also unveiling ads targeting Rep. Mike Ross -- here's their ad, which focuses on the $921,670 in campaign contributions Ross has raked in from the health industry:
The ads come from the FDL Action PAC -- a spin-off of the blog Firedoglake -- and aim to hit media markets that cover "100%" of Rep. Ross' district and 60% of markets state-wide. Here's the ad:
The ad cites a June 2009 study by the Commonwealth Fund, which found that a strong public option would lead to an overall cost savings of $3 trillion -- including saving each person roughly $2,000 in insurance premiums. The system of private plans inside a "co-op exchange," as advocated by Sen. Lincoln and Rep. Ross, would result in only $200 in personal savings.
As Facing South reported earlier, Arkansas consumers also suffer from having the least competition in their health insurance market in the country. Just one insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Arkansas, dominates 75% of the health insurance market in Arkansas.
Rep. Ross' district has the dubious distinction of also including the city with the least health insurance competition in the nation: the Texarkana metro area, where BCBS Ark runs 97% of the market.
UPDATE: The group Change Congress is also unveiling ads targeting Rep. Mike Ross -- here's their ad, which focuses on the $921,670 in campaign contributions Ross has raked in from the health industry:
This will be a stupid waste of money and Rham Emmanuel was right.
September 18, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply
"Or we'll find someone who will"? Really? I think it's cute that they think they can find a viable, progressive Democrat in Arkansas instead of Republican-lites we have now.
September 18, 2009 11:25 AM | Reply
ATTENTION!! Congress Has The Votes Needed To Pass A Public Option - TODAY http://bit.ly/TCq7O
Why A Strong Public Option Is Essential - By jacksmith - Working Class
Robert Reich explains the pubic option: http://bit.ly/dDYSJ http://robertreich.blogspot.com/
John Garamendi on the Public Option and the Grassroots: http://bit.ly/TJMty
It's not just because more than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 77% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (86% of democrats, 75% of independents, and 72% republicans). Basically everyone.
It's not just because according to a new AARP POLL: 86 percent of seniors want universal healthcare security for All, including 93% of Democrats, 87% of Independents, and 78% of Republicans. With 79% of seniors supporting creating a new strong Government-run public option plan, available immediately. Including 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans, STUNNING!!
It's not just because it will lower cost. Because a strong public option will dramatically lower cost for everyone. And dramatically improved the quality of care everyone receives in America and around the World. Rich, middle class, and poor a like.
It's not just because it will save trillions of dollars and prevent the needless deaths of millions more of YOU, caused by a rush to profit by the DISGRACEFUL, GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!
It's not just because every expert in every field, including economist, and Nobel laureates all agree that free market based healthcare systems don't work. Never have and never will. The US has the only truly free market based healthcare system in the World. And as you all know now, IT IS A DISASTER!
It's not just because providing or denying medically necessary care for profit motivations is wrong. Because it is WRONG! It's professionally, ethically, and morally REPUGNANT!, Animalistic, VILE and EVIL.
THE REASON THE PUBLIC OPTION IS ESSENTIAL:
The public option is ESSENTIAL because over 200 million of you are trapped in the forest of the wolves. Which is the forest of the DISGRACEFUL, GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX! With no way out except through needless inhumane suffering, and DEATH. While the wolves tear at your flesh, and rip you limb from lib. Then feast on your lifeless bodies like a dead carcase for transplant parts.
At the most vulnerable times of your lives (when you were sick and hurting), millions of you have had to fight and loose cruel, but heroic battles. Fighting against the big guns of the DISGRACEFUL, GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX! in the forest of the wolves. All because you have no place else to go. You have no other CHOICE!
But the PUBLIC OPTION will give you someplace safe to go. And it will give us someplace safe to take you. The public option will be your refugium (your refuge). Where the wolves cannot get at you when your down, hurting, and vulnerable. Where everyone who needs it can find rest, security, comfort and the care they need. Protected by the BIG GUNS of We The People Of The United States. THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE AND COUNTRY ON EARTH.
This is why it is so critical that we do not lead another 50 million vulnerable, uninsured Americans into the forest of the wolves, without the protections of a Strong Government-run public option. We The People Of The United States MUST NOT LET THAT HAPPEN to any more of our fellow Americans. If healthcare reform does not contain a strong public option on day one. YOU MUST! KILL IT. Or you will do far more harm than good. And millions more will die needlessly. Rich, middle class, and poor a like.
To those who would continue to obstruct good and true healthcare reform for the American people, and who seek to trap millions more vulnerable Americans in the forest of the wolves. We will continue to fight you. We are prepared to wage all out war against you, and will eagerly DESTROY! you. Time...is...UP! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! No Co-op's! No Triggers! NO INDIVIDUAL MANDATES! without a Strong public option on day one.
Healthcare reform can be the GREATEST! Accomplishment of our time and century. A time when future generations may say of us, that we were all, AMERICAS GREATEST GENERATIONS.
BUT WE MUST ACT!
I therefore call on all my fellow Americans and the peoples of the World. To join us in this fight so that we may finish becoming the better America that we aspire to be for everyone.
SPREAD THE WORD!
I have been privileged to be witness as many of you fought, and struggled to take your first breath, and your last breath on this earth. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Life is precious.
Whatever the cost. WE! MUST SUCCEED.
God Bless You My Fellow Human Beings
jacksmith - Working Class
Things You Can Do To Help NOW! http://www.everydaycitizen.com/2009/09/tired_of_watching_people_die_n.html
No Triggers! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-rosenbaum/a-trigger-for-the-public_b_277910.html
Triggers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/weve-seen-these-triggers_b_283583.html
Krugman on heathcare (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)
Senator Bernie Sanders on healthcare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSM8t_cLZgk&feature=player_embedded)
September 19, 2009 4:01 AM | Reply