Myth-busters are taking to the air, as AARP rolls out a new ad campaign and grassroots push to counter what the organization sees as misinformation about health care reform proposals. Bob O'Connell, a 67-year-old member of the group's volunteer Executive Council, says the myths are clouding the debate.
"They range all the way from 'This is going to be socialized medicine' to 'This is a way to promote euthanasia.' So, y'know, there's probably half a dozen different ones."
In New York state, AARP will host tele-town hall meetings and community conversations across the state and a "Health Action Now" van will go on tour. At the same time, a conservative group called Americans for Prosperity has two "Hands Off My Health Care" buses on tour, praising the free-market health care system.
O'Connell says he hears a number of fellow seniors saying they're afraid government-driven health care reform would result in a reduction of their Medicare coverage or even the end of it. He says that's another myth.
"Exactly what the President has proposed is that we not change people who are satisfied with their current health coverage; they can maintain that. But some of the myths that have been going around have created that kind of anxiety."
AARP's paid advertising can be seen online now. It will run nationally and in select cities on television and radio and in print publications from now until mid-September. O'Connell says the goal is to set the record straight.
"People are basically coming up with a lot of myths about health care proposals that are floating around and they're distorting everything."
AARP says it will also be working in every state to let every member of Congress know that the 50-plus community wants action to fix what's wrong with health care and to save the parts of the system that work.
AARP ads can be seen online at:
aarp.convio.net
http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/10076-1
