November 6, 2009
Posted: November 6th, 2009 07:20 PM ET

From

Washington (CNN) – Opponents of President Obama’s approach to health care reform have outspent supporters by more than $7 million in the past 30 days in what has become the most expensive one year, single issue advocacy campaign on television in the nation’s history.

So far, more than $151 million has been spent in 2009 on TV ads by organizations promoting, opposing or simply weighing in on the health care debate, according to an exclusive analysis conducted for CNN by TNSMI-Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG).

Supporters of Obama’s approach to health care reform began airing TV commercials earlier in the year than opponents and account for $61 million, while opponents have spent $52.3 million and groups with an interest in the debate but not advocating a position have dedicated $38 million.

In the past 30 days, supporters of Obama's approach to health care reform spent nearly $12 million on TV ads while opponents countered with $19.1 million.

“We are starting to see a separation in the messaging,” said Evan Tracey, president of CMAG and CNN’s consultant on political television advertising. “Groups that are opposed to President Obama’s health care plan are starting to turn up the volume in key states to put pressure on lawmakers to vote against these bills.”

On Wednesday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent a whopping $1.5 million alone to air an ad linking the depressed economy to the health care debate in cities stretching from Juneau, Alaska, to Roanoke, Virginia.

“This advertising is turning very gray in terms of the senior voters they are targeting and the mood of the electorate who are pessimistic about the economy,” said Tracey.

Americans for Stable Quality Care, a coalition of health care interest and liberal advocacy groups, spent more than $8.2 million over the past month on commercials to lead the spending in support of Obama’s approach to reform. The Chamber spent $9.7 million on TV ads, while America’s Health Insurance Plans, an association of insurers, dedicated $5.5 million to commercials during this same 30 day time period.

The House is meeting for a rare weekend session as the Democratic majority tries to pass a health care bill.

“The Chamber ad combined with a lot of weekend news coverage of the new unemployment numbers is going to be a potential one-two punch as House Democrats try to pass a health care reform bill,” Tracey said.

Tracey is referring to news Friday that the nation’s unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent, the highest it has been since 1983.

Follow Mark Preston on Twitter @PrestonCNN

Filed under: Health care • President Obama


Keith in Austin   November 7th, 2009 9:48 am ET

Dollars spent on ads informing the public of the lunacy of Obummercare is necessary considering the pro-left slant of the mass-media and continual propaganda from the administration and liberal Democrats! The vast-majority og Americans oppose a State-run takeover and more government. in their lives.

Gary   November 7th, 2009 4:18 am ET

The amount of money spent by the opposition shows how profitable the current system is for them.

Andrea   November 7th, 2009 12:24 am ET

Spend your money on health care not on ad agencies-please.
This is getting pitiful both sides! Give your $$$ to the unemployed and uninsured working folk. And the rest of us.
Not the ad barons–please. We spend millions on blathering (advocacy) opinions and not on real care? Go figures?

Count the millions. On ad campaigns–no value care????

Troy   November 7th, 2009 12:21 am ET

I have no sympathy for the Democrats. They run the absolute worst PR campaign for anything they try and accomplish. They deserve to be looked at badly and the deserve to have the healthcare rejected. They couldn't sell a hamburger to a starving man. Fools

Love them or hate them the Republicans know and understand how to convince the pubic and get things done......

http://twitter.com/whybs   November 7th, 2009 12:15 am ET

As unemployment increases, more and more Americans will need health care reform!

Let's sock it to the right wingnuts & health insurance companies!

We Won Get Over It   November 7th, 2009 12:02 am ET

They are scared scared scared. If all the money you were bleeding billions and billions from the citizens of this country for health care your pants would be in a bunch too. The insurance companies are scared to death that all that money the CEO's and big shots get for their houses around the world, their boats, their air planes, their fantastic trips, golf and all the other stuff would stop if people didn't have to pay such outrageous for their health insurance.

Tim Olvera   November 6th, 2009 11:59 pm ET

Our President has alot on his mind and on his plate. I was always told in school that if a President is elected to two terms his first four years is spent on undoing the previous president. Well enough said. We have enough problems here in our own country, why is Newt Gingrich even opening his mouth. If our President were to leave in an national emergency he would be looked down upon for leaving our nation. Keep up the fight President Obama.

Charles Sochalec   November 6th, 2009 11:56 pm ET

President Obama is not concerned about geo-political situations such as the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall. Obama has proved time and time again that his weak point is foreign affairs and diplomacy that impact the United States. He prefers on relying on one of our weakest Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

All President Obama wants to do is focus on his U.S. National Health Plan and nothing else matters as to what happens in the U.S. He wants to be in Washington to make sure the bill gets passed.

Frankly, Obama is a Socialist leaning towards Communism (like FDR). If Obama, Pelosi and other left wing Democrats had their way, they would change the U.S. Constitution.

Andrea   November 6th, 2009 11:45 pm ET

Why would you spend lots o' money (multi-millions) on ad agencys for pro or anti-health care commercial ads and not on patients, doctors, clinics and hospitals.? Why? All sides lose. Its weirdly about opinion not quality care–go figure. Really figure all the dollars???

Richp   November 6th, 2009 11:41 pm ET

First off BOTH parties are talking out of the second pair of cheeks they were born with. This health care bill is nothing but writing to get the best deals for the pharma companies, insurance companies and anyone else who contributes to reelection coffers. Take some doctors, couple of lawyers, few congress shrubs and lock em in a resort on an island somewhere for two weeks, surrounded by marines with orders to shoot to kill any lobbyists that set foot on the island. Maybe, just maybe we might get something worthwhile that won't break the bank. If not then LEAVE IT ALONE.

william fitzwater   November 6th, 2009 11:30 pm ET

They are going to say anything do anything. If critics can fundamentally disable the chances of reform or pervert to suit their interests they Win.
The problem is congress is bought out on both sides on the issue of reform.

Trylon   November 6th, 2009 11:26 pm ET

This seems a good time to remind Americans that in the 1940s and 1950s millions of dollars were spent to defeat the introduction of universal health care into the social structure of Canadian provinces. Where did that money come from? It came from the medical-industrial complex in the United States, who tried to murder "socialized medicine" on this continent in the crib.

And, the effort to defeat the contentment of Canadians with their health care system by ticked-off 'Mericans has never fully stopped. Try to imagine the reverse circumstance and then try to stop laughing. This is what Pierre Trudeau meant about "sleeping with an elephant".

bob in LA   November 6th, 2009 11:19 pm ET

Don't want health reform? Over 65? Give up Medicare. Got employer coverage? Start paying 100% of the premium yourself and not at group rates. Is your insurnace part of a retirement plan or from your pension? Nope- start paying for it. Are you a vet? Get off the goverment dole.
People – Get out of the bubble you live in think of others for a change.
You're not paying for you healthcare- you don't have a say.

valwayne   November 6th, 2009 11:13 pm ET

And all that money is dwarfed by Obama comandeering the networks over and over to sell Obamacare! Obama comandeering all the networks to have press conferences with the sole purpose of promoting Obamacare. Its not anybody's fault that Obama could explain his program in a way that anybody could understand and that nobody belived him when he said $500 billion in medicare cuts would make medicare for the elderly better than ever. We have 10.2% UNEMPLOYMENT and instead of coming up with something besides the corrupt stimulous plan that filled the pockets of the special interest Obama only wants to cram trillions and trillions of additional debt and taxes on us. If He and Nancy Pelsoi force Obamacare on the nation it will hit our economy like 10 million tons of bricks. 10.2% UNEMPLOYMENT will look like the Golden Years!!! What a disaster!!!

Exasperated   November 6th, 2009 11:04 pm ET

Isn't there a better use for this money?

Greg, MN   November 6th, 2009 11:02 pm ET

I am self employed and buy my family insurance myself. We pay $480 a month for $600 deductible plan. My congressman informs me this insurance will be outlawed with this legislation. I will be put in a pool. I had group insurance once. I was pooled with lots of much higher users,

Why does Affordable Health Care for America mean I will pay more?

kettle2   November 6th, 2009 11:01 pm ET

sure they do they want to protect their stock in the insurance companies and the pharmacutical companies.....one thing you overlooked though

The Reformers are also hitting the air waves.......BIG TIME.

Ray in Nashville   November 6th, 2009 10:56 pm ET

One thing about this whole health care reform debate, electronic media sales managers and the companies they work for are going to be very sad when it's over, no matter who wins. You might even say the issue itself is a stimulus program for the advertising business.

S.Ann   November 6th, 2009 10:54 pm ET

I think both sides making commercials over health reform need to just stop. We got enough information about it and know what needs to be done. More commercials from both sides means money being wasted...especially on commercials opposing to health reform being meaningless and a scare tactic.

How can we get out of a horrible economy if we have both sides spending millions and millions on commercials.....commercials people! We have so many people unemployed. $151 million could have helped many people in keeping their houses and getting what's needed. But no.......it's spent on TV ads...way to go.

Christopher W   November 6th, 2009 10:30 pm ET

Why are politicians and political interest groups even legally allowed to run these mass media campaigns anyway? I thought the airwaves and print guidelines and rules were decided for the people, by the people. We don't want it, yet it's rammed down our throats despite any attempts to reform. It's obvious that the two party system for such a large and diverse nation has landed us all in "our arses are bought and paid for" situation. Conservatives,please keep up your upstate New York movement nation wide, don't vote Republican, vote Liberatarian, 3rd party, ect..
Democrats, (You call yourselves progressive?!)
If this disgusting display lack of backbone by your party that now controls the White house and Congress and has enough votes to actually CHANGE anything, a mandate they were swept to power to do, and STILL CAN'T- then it should be quite obvious to vote for Independent Candidates, vote Green, vote Socialist, ect..
We are at a point where our very society is failing politically and economically because our system is based on 1780's mechanics of government, WE NEED COALITION GOVERNMENTS OF MULTI PARTY ELECTORATES. If competition breeds results, then we know why America is failing. There is a monopoly of power that has turned our once great nation into the play ground of the multinational super rich who use Wall St as their casino, D.C. as their brokerage firm, and our hard work and blood as their toilet paper. If you declare yourself as a member of either party and not as an Independent, then you do not know the spirit of the original patriots and you are part of the problem. WAKE UP,THIS IS 10 YEARS INTO A NEW CENTURY ALREADY, real change will come wether we're ready or not.

mike holtzinger   November 6th, 2009 10:17 pm ET

You keep saying the 10.2% unemployment rate is the largest since 1983. WAKE UP, that is 2 years into Reagans Admin, how come you arn't mentioning the fact that Reagan still 9.8% U.E 2 years in to his presidency. Obama-in case you have not noticed has onlt been in office for 9months...No recession has turned around that quick.

Mike from Austin   November 6th, 2009 10:14 pm ET

What ever happened to the idea of compromise? Isn't that what democracy is supposed to be all about? It seems that everyone is so caught up in ideological arguments that people have forgotten the realities in the nation. Sure, I get that people are against abortion, and I respect that – however, should the miniscule chance of an abortion being federally funded preclude the treatment of hundreds of thousands of people who will die otherwise? If your argument is truly "pro life," then shouldn't it include trying to save lives other than those of the unborn? Every day that health care reform is delayed due to rigid ideological arguments is another day that thousands of people die for no good reason. The greatest country on earth should at least be able to reduce deaths due to people not being able to afford the system!

GI Joe   November 6th, 2009 9:56 pm ET

They are running the lies like crazy in NC.

That's another reason to get rid of the republicans next year. It's all lies, fear, negativity.

WE GOT RID OF DOLE, WE CAN GET RID OF OTHERS.

True Reformer   November 6th, 2009 9:48 pm ET

The US Chamber of Commerce – what a tragic joke! The;y could care less about America. Their interest is solely greed; greed for multinational corporations exploiting foreign labor at the expense of their own customers – the American public.

Bob   November 6th, 2009 9:45 pm ET

How many people could be cared for with this money?

If they (the insurance industry) can afford this, then they can live along side a public option.

Ryan   November 6th, 2009 9:43 pm ET

Let's clarify what has been documented ON RECORD:

"Pelosi's office has said the bill would cut the federal deficit by roughly $30 billion over the next decade. The measure is financed through a combination of a tax surcharge on wealthy Americans and spending constraints in Medicare and Medicaid.
Specifically, individuals with annual incomes more than $500,000 - as well as families earning more than $1 million - would face a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge. Growth in Medicare expenditures would be cut by 1.3 percent annually. " – CNN

– -
So what's the problem people????

Kate in SW Fla   November 6th, 2009 9:41 pm ET

What opponents are lying about, is theri culpability IN the unemployment mess. These health care costs are costing jobs. Our industries can not complete. We NEED this reform, and it is pathetic to allow a handful of greedy, lying CEOs defeat it. Doctors want it, Nurses want it, Pharma wants it, Hospitals want it, the AMA supports it, AARP supports it. The only poeple who oppose it are the Insurance Industries and the Republicans. And I hate them both.

JES   November 6th, 2009 9:36 pm ET

Where is the money coming from.

I know we continue to talk about having health care for everyone, but doesn't about 85-90% already have health care.

Find the money by stop giving yourself raises and start doing you job and like here what the people are saying nore more taxes.

Can you name any elected official who has read the bill not someone else but you.

Thomas5   November 6th, 2009 9:34 pm ET

It's Bush's fault, right?

Right?

sue   November 6th, 2009 9:31 pm ET

americans, i thought you had the smartest people on earth. open your eyes, instead of rethus and company spending a whole lot of money on opposing healthcare reform, pay for treatment for people who need surgeries, cancer patients, who do not have insurance. pay for me. i need medical help, i dont have insurance. yes am an american citizen. all this rebupblican leaders have insurance, good insurance. their followers, not so lucky. open your eyes fellow americans. last administration left a deficit. it didnt help anyone. you say the healthcare will raise the deficit. if it so happens, at least it will hapen for a course. stop fooling yourselfs anymore rethugs. the whole world is watching your stupidity. you dont care about the health of your citizens! lord have mercy!

fight the lies   November 6th, 2009 9:27 pm ET

Wake up Dems! Fight to get the truth out. The misleading lies and fear-mongering of the GOP is overwhelming the public.

Let Americans know the truth. Insurance companies have long profited off the American tax payer and the GOP is in the insurance lobby pockets.

Fight back. You look wimpy. Fight the lies with truth. Call them on the fear-mongering. You have to do this for the American people. Fight!

T'SAH from Virginia   November 6th, 2009 9:24 pm ET

DANG!! The money being spent for ads to APPROVE and/or DISAPPROVE the Health Care Bill – if added together – could create a few jobs or give out some loans to small businesses!!

Nick   November 6th, 2009 9:22 pm ET

With all these big bucks GOP'ers flooding the airway spending billions and billions to keep the rich rich and to get them richer, it becomes obvious that Health Care Reform is in the best interest of the people else the mega-rich wouldn't be fighting it so.

Dennis in AZ   November 6th, 2009 9:15 pm ET

Freedom of Speech. It's one of the few privileges Americans have left due to the spontaneous collapse of the Bill of RIGHTS and diversion from the tenets of the US Constitution. The Truth about Healthcare Reform is the Truth about America–when people put their race or their religion in front of American Values, it seems clear that we've been a bit too politically correct. When 20 hispanic congresspersons won't vote for a bill because it entitles LEGAL residents in the US to Healthcare over ILLEGAL residents of America, the system needs to break. The US Government isn't too big to fail–it's been failing for years and we've done nothing because of the "politically correct Citizens of the World" we've repeatedly elected. Profit over Representation seems the premise of most elected officials. I respect the hispanics in that AT LEAST THEY ARE REPRESENTING SOMETHING!!

ib   November 6th, 2009 9:11 pm ET

This bill should be DOA; just look at the cuts in medicare alone. This country cannot afford this kind of spending. We are broke and headed into being a past country if Obama keeps spending the way he has been.

Brad   November 6th, 2009 8:57 pm ET

If anyone is swayed by commercials without investigating the legislation first isn't worth any health care coverage. For some reason, it's increasingly harder for people to make informed decisions by themselves without letting them be swayed by biased news and information.

Scott, Tucson   November 6th, 2009 8:55 pm ET

I like the part in the health care bill that says Americans would go to prison for up to five years if they don't buy into obamacare. Maybe obama and Pelosi plans on sending violators to GITMO?

Barry   November 6th, 2009 8:52 pm ET

I don't know about these ads, but I do know that if the democrats don't pass health care then they will almost certainly be in the minority for years to come.

Frustrated in Georgia   November 6th, 2009 8:51 pm ET

Can I at least read it before I can comment on it? Thing about being free is that you are able to think for yourself. I want to decide for myself if this bill is good for me and my family.

People!!! Stop listening to others such as democrats and republican. They are parties with their own agenda. Take time for yourself to think for yourself and stop letting other think for you.

Paul   November 6th, 2009 8:48 pm ET

Funny, I'm not a religious afflitated man, spirtual, but not religious. Just think if all the so called religious righteous of just spent this money on caring for their fellow human beings as their own religious doctrines implore them to do. Such a shame and a waste. Do the right thing people, or at least have the decenency to quite hiding behind a bunch of religious dogma you only apply when it suits your fiscal needs. "Too late the prophets (profits) cried" – Crime of the Century – Supertramp

File under "Sarcasm"   November 6th, 2009 8:45 pm ET

How can this be? Just listen to Nancy and Harry; everyone wants their healthcare reform bills. How could anyone finance so much anti-healthcare bill advertising if no one is against it?

Shelly CO   November 6th, 2009 8:39 pm ET

It is our current health system that costs greatly in terms of dollars and lives.
My parents live in Canada and I have seen first hand what a wonderful health system it is.....no worries for my retired parents.
Are we just a bunch of sissies that we do not want to change a system that denies the most basic human rights of health and life to its citizens?
The scary tactics by the right are disgusting and unpatriotic!!!!!

JP   November 6th, 2009 8:38 pm ET

Why is that every version of every bill puts the interests of the trial lawyers 1st and the citizens last. How much less would the cost of this bill be because there is no tort reform. What is the real cost of the bill to taxpayers when all the illegals are made legal under Obama's promise of "a path to citizenship." Why don't we reform the current government programs and see all those magical saving that are promised.

tom   November 6th, 2009 8:34 pm ET

Almost everyone is for health care reform, but not for the ridiculous mess the dems are promoting. If this was really about improving health care in an intelligent common sense manner the bill would already be law. Instead they have crafted a partisan, special interest disaster that will diminish quality of care across the board, severly increase the deficit, and result in huge increases in taxes.

cutthebull   November 6th, 2009 8:33 pm ET

I love this.. Republicans talk about spending less and being Patriotic Americans but they want to deprive Americans of health care reform with millions upon millions of dollars worth of advertising on TV attacking any kind of reform... How about spending millions of dollars on helping Americans and not wasting it on obstructionism. If thats too big of a word for some of you GOOGLE it.

James In Atlanta   November 6th, 2009 8:22 pm ET

Incumbents beware; We the People of The United States of America put you in office to represent us. Majority rules and any of you can be voted out of office and replaced with someone who will represent us and do our bidding.

Health care providers like doctors and nurses and the institutions they work for provide health care. Health Insurance companies are a parasite on the US Health Care System extorting vast sums of monies from sick and injured Americans to fill their coffers. We need to let the market place rule and provide a strong public option insurance program ran by the people for the people not for profit and greed and to cover operating costs only.

A publically ran insurance program for Americans who choose to participate and Americans who can not afford health care and not forcing Americans to purchase high cost private health insurance with tax dollars. A strong public option will provided needed jobs and remove the fear of Americans going bankrupt to pay for an illness or injury or being dropped from coverage or priced out with ever increasing premium and deductable costs.

Matt   November 6th, 2009 8:14 pm ET

GOOD.

More people need to be informed on how bad this bill is. The government needs to stay out of healthcare until they come up with solutions to the other UNSUSTAINABLE government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, VA hospitals, Social Security,....).

The public option costs too much and does too little.

Jane   November 6th, 2009 8:10 pm ET

I find it funny that people think the endorsement of AARP is a great thing. AARP is an insurance company that woos people over 50 and always will be. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck.......
The AMA supporting the dems healthcare plan is a joke as well approx 25% of doctor's belong. The AMA is actually a lobby group that masks itself as an "organization". Not a true representation of American docotrs

Don Greegory   November 6th, 2009 7:59 pm ET

These organizations realize the tried and true business maxim:

You gotta spend money to make money ! ! !

They're definitely willing to pour from their deep fat pockets to kill the bill! ! ! ! They're hoped-for results; deeper fatter pockets! ! !

Marty, Grand Rapids MI   November 6th, 2009 7:53 pm ET

Shocking that interest groups that make money with the current setup are spending money on commercials to kill the bill. They are hoping that republicans and some independents will vote against their economic interests.

Mickey   November 6th, 2009 7:50 pm ET

Saturate all you want...it jus' ain't gonna work.

GOP: Evolve or die

Jay T.   November 6th, 2009 7:44 pm ET

These are business men. So, imagine the profits they seek to gain if health care reform does not pass. More reason to get this done.

will   November 6th, 2009 7:43 pm ET

All I like to say about the health care bill is if any of the so-call democrats don't vote for it, the Democratic party should not give them any support during the mid term election.

m smith   November 6th, 2009 7:42 pm ET

Better to have spent the money on health care than on opposing it. Health care for everyone now!

A.B.   November 6th, 2009 7:34 pm ET

Regardless of how loud the opponents of healthcare reform shout or how much money they spend, Healthcare reform is going to happen and H.R. 3200 will become law before the end of 2009. No one or group can thwart the will of the majority of Americans who want reform.

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