New SEIU Ad: U.S. Representatives Showed Leadership Against Big Insurance

SEIU's $1 Million Ad Buy Shows Support for Members Under Attack for Putting the Needs of Their Constituents Before Profits of Big Insurance

Washington D.C. - Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released new television ads today thanking members in eight Congressional Districts for standing up to big insurance through the Affordable Health Care for America Act. The ads - part of a $1 million buy - thank the members for showing leadership and taking action for real health insurance reform.

SEIU President Andy Stern said, After decades of talk about reforming our healthcare system, the House took action. Not surprisingly, big insurance, the Chamber and other special interests who want to derail reform have lined up to intimidate leaders who had the audacity to believe that we need a healthcare system that works for all Americans. With the future of our economy and the future of the American dream at risk, there's no more time to lose."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, together with Big Insurance, has spent millions of dollars on attack ads to scare Congress into protecting the insurance industry's monopoly and their multi-billion dollar profits at the expense of the American people.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act will finally hold insurance companies responsible for their legendary abuses that put profits over people - denying care when people need it most, discriminating because of gender or pre-existing conditions, and gouging individuals and businesses with astronomical rate increases every year.

"Real leadership requires the courage to look past the next election and do what is right for the next generation. These members of Congress said 'no' to big insurance and 'yes' to reform that ends the stranglehold insurance companies have on our healthcare system. It's this type of bold leadership that deserves support," continued Stern.

The television spots will run for one week on broadcast and cable in eight districts:

IN 02 - Congressman Joe Donnelly

IN-08 - Congressman Brad Ellsworth

IN 09 - Congressman Baron Hill

ME 02 - Congressman Mike Michaud

ND AL - Congressman Earl Pomeroy

NH 02 - Congressman Paul Hodes

NV 03 - Congresswoman Dina Titus

VA 05 - Congressman Tom Perriello

View the ad here

Audio of Ad

Documentation

After decades of talk about healthcare reform what's changed?

Costs have skyrocketed

Over the past 10 years, employer-sponsored family health premiums have risen 131 percent, to $13,375 annually, more than three times faster than average worker wages. [Kaiser Family Foundation, 9/15/2009]

Thousands of Nevadans denied much needed care

At least 220 Nevada residents are losing their health insurance every day we go without comprehensive health care reform. [Center for American Progress, 7/31/2009]

The number of uninsured in Nevada rose from 325,000 in 2001 to 487,000 in 2008, with the percent of non-elderly adults without insurance climbing from 18.3% to 21.5%. [Department of Health in Human Services, 9/16/2009]

While insurance companies and their CEOs rake in billions

From 2000 to 2008, major U.S. health insurers had net incomes of $59.5 billion. [Health Care for America Now, accessed 11/18/2009]

From 2000 to 2008, the CEOs of the U.S. major health insurers were compensated over $690 million. [Health Care for America Now, accessed 11/18/2009]

But Congresswoman Dina Titus took action.

Voting yes to force insurance companies to cover the treatments we need - from the Doctors we choose - at a lower cost.

Support Congresswoman Titus - because Nevada families need leaders who stand up for us.

SEIU Cope is responsible for the content of this advertising.

Congresswoman Titus voted in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act. [House Vote 887, 11/7/2009]

The bill will end the practice of denying health insurance on the basis of pre-existing conditions and place limits on out-of-pocket spending. [Speaker's Office, accessed 11/18/2009]

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