Health groups buy $10 million in ads to say thank you for SCHIP

Feb 13, 2009 11:45 AM

Health care advocacy groups, unions, and pharmaceutical manufacturers are sending out an expensive 'thank you' to members of Congress who supported an expansion of health insurance for low-income children under the SCHIP program.

The unusual alliance of interest groups is buying $10 million worth of television and newspaper ads in the home districts of 83 lawmakers who voted for the SCHIP expansion.

From the Associated Press:

The ad campaign shows that interest groups are anxious for lawmakers to focus on health care reform this year. Some wonder the feasibility of that goal considering current economic problems and Tom Daschle's withdrawing as the nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. Several analysts say that the sooner lawmakers focus on health care, the better their chances of success.

Other organizations paying for the ads include The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which represents prescription drug makers, the Service Employees International Union and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

The ads will run for two weeks in 49 House districts and for three weeks to thank 34 senators who backed the plan. The ads target a broad spectrum of Republicans and Democrats in both chambers who supported the legislation, according to The Politico.

Congress passed the $33 billion bill earlier this month, and President Barack Obama signed the legislation the first week in February.

Funded primarily by an increase in the federal cigarette tax, the law will raise the number of children covered by SCHIP to 11 million.

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