You Are Paying To Advertise ObamaCare

You Are Paying To Advertise ObamaCare
Taxpayer-funded TV and radio ads extol the glory of Obama’s gift to America.
by John Hayward
06/21/2011

The L.A. Times reports on the latest expenditures of a government that recently crashed through the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling:

“The Obama Administration is kicking off a nationwide ad campaign urging seniors to take advantage of free preventive services, such as cancer screenings, made possible in Medicare by the new healthcare law.”

“The campaign - featuring television and radio ads in English and Spanish - comes on the heels of a new report showing that less than one in six Medicare beneficiaries have taken advantage of the new benefit since President Obama signed the law last year.”

Television and radio ads in two different languages? Wow, that’s going to cost us a fortune! I sure hope it accomplishes its mission of making Americans appreciate the fabulous gift our brilliant President has bestowed upon us! You can judge for yourself, because the ad is available for viewing on YouTube as well. Note to deficit hawks: YouTube is free.

Medicare chief Donald Berwick, installed in his position via recess appointment to avoid all that messy Senate confirmation hearing stuff, assured reporters this new ad campaign won’t prompt the same level of outrage as the infamous Andy Griffith ad campaign selling ObamaCare. “Everyone is interested in prevention,” said Berwick. “I don’t think this is a partisan issue.”

Well, that’s the problem with nationalizing industries, isn’t it? Everything becomes a partisan issue. It is logically impossible for the government to advertise beneficial features of its programs without providing partisan advantage to the party that champions those programs. Every advertisement that promotes the wonders of Big Government is a campaign ad for the Party of Government.

Naturally, such advertising is entirely one-sided. Will we see any taxpayer-funded ads warning of the thousands of problems with ObamaCare? Will Washington ever spend our money to promote the many examples of private-sector competition beating the pants off of miserable Big Government programs? Of course not.

Berwick is a great fan of Britain’s collapsing socialized medical system, and became infamous for encouraging Americans to embrace “rationing with our eyes open.” I can hardly wait to see the taxpayer-funded ads promoting the fabulous efficiency of the death panels.