Sen. Begich Slams New Anti-Health Reform Ad Campaign

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“60-Plus” campaign full of false information, scare tactics

October 30, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Mark Begich today slammed a new television ad campaign running in Alaska and several other states as just another attempt by those trying to defeat health reform by using false information and scare tactics to mislead the public.

The television ads from the 60 Plus Association are falsely telling viewers that Sen. Begich supports health care legislation that includes massive cuts to Medicare and will harm seniors.

"This is an outrageous attempt to scare and mislead seniors on the topic of health insurance reform" Begich said. "None of the health care reform proposals being considered by the Senate would cut Medicare benefits."

Begich also pointed out that health care reform will lower prescription drugs costs for people with the Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole" so they can better afford the drugs they need.

The television ads repeat an often-reported myth from the opponents of health reform that reform will cut $500 million in Medicare benefits. The truth is reform will cut waste and fraud and use the saving to strengthen Medicare.

"These people should be ashamed of themselves," Begich said. "60 Plus is not an organization set up to help seniors, but rather a far-right front group for the pharmaceutical industry."

Begich said the true voice of America's seniors is the AARP, which is on the record busting the myths perpetuated by groups like 60 Plus. He said health reform will protect seniors' access to their doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services so patients stay healthier, and it will reduce costly, preventable hospital readmissions, saving patients and Medicare money.

"I urge Alaskans to be skeptical of these snappy sound bites that try to scare them in less than 60 seconds. As Congress gets closer to meaningful health reform, the naysayers - in this case a front group for the pharmaceutical companies - get more nervous that they'll no longer be able to keep doing business as usual."

Begich said he will continue to work to protect Medicare and Alaska's seniors. He is a co-sponsor of the Medicare Physicians Fairness Act, which would fix the broken doctor payment formula and make sure there are enough Medicare doctors in Alaska to provide care for seniors. Every single Republican in the Senate voted against moving that bill to the floor. And now a pharmaceutical front group is accusing Begich of scaring seniors.

"The charge is ridiculous and so is the ad," Begich said.

For more information on the 60 Plus Association see the Center for Media and Democracy at: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=60_Plus_Association.

In addition, the MediaMatters Action Network has debunked earlier ads run by 60 Plus:
http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200908080001.

Source: Senator Mark Begich