Insurance Companies Launch National Ad Campaign Against Health Care Reform

Today a group of "major businesses" including health insurance companies is launching a nationwide ad campaign in opposition to the health care reform bill. The campaign will target moderate and conservative Democrats in their home markets after a few days on national cable outlets.

Health insurance companies, excoriated by Obama over a recent spate of double-digit premium hikes, are helping to pay for the ads, said Bruce Josten, a top lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, coordinating the campaign. "Health care costs will go even higher under this bill, making things even more difficult for business," said Josten. "We are trying to tell Congress to stop with this bill and start over, and get it moving in a direction that makes it more affordable."

In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, other groups in the coalition include the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, and groups representing the construction and food service industries. The business groups refused to release a list of the lawmakers they are targeting. Jeri Kubicki, an employee benefits expert with the manufacturing group, said employers are putting off hiring new workers because of concerns that the bill's passage would raise their costs. "There is too much uncertainty," she said.

The campaign will cost about $10M. Sickening. Literally.