Slow-down on health legislation could kill it

President Obama, asked at his press conference why he was in such a rush to pass health reform legislation, cited two reasons. He said lots of Americans are already suffering and 14,000 more Americans lose coverage every day. Another reason, he said, is that nothing happens in Washington if there's no deadline. 

He could have added that if there's much delay, opponents' massive advertising campaigns will erode the nation's confidence. It happened last time; it can happen again.

On Monday, America's Health Insurance Plans launched a national TV ad campaign that supports some of what Obama proposes but discourages inclusion of a government-backed plan to compete with private insurers -- or as the President says, "keep them honest." The AHIP ad calls for health reform that builds on the current employer-based system and does not "disrupt the quality coverage Americans currently have and want to keep." 

This week, the Chamber of Commerce began a multi-million dollar “Campaign for Responsible Health Care Reform” with print ads in five states (not Florida) as well as Web ads and rallies during the August recess. The slogan "Don’t drag down health care reform” will sound supportive of the greater goal while undermining the President's proposals.

The conservative Cato Institute is launching its ad campaign this week with full-page ads in major newspapers and radio spots opposing a "government-run health care system." The ads will play up recent poll results saying Americans are concerned that health-reform proposals now being discussed will raise their costs.

The trouble is that those who back the President's proposals -- which would take money away from almost all the vested interests -- can't afford ads. Those who want to keep their profits intact can fund an endless supply of scary spots.

Political strategists understand that with time, such ads can persuade Americans to turn against what they previously wanted and believed in.  A 12-page memo that sets out the Republican strategy to kill the Democrats' initiative on health care, reported in the Huffington Post, says "engage in every activity" to slow things down.

It sounds only reasonable when opponents say Congress should take its time and not rush on something as important as health reform. But their real intent is not to get the best bill possible. It's to have no significant legislation at all.