New Ads Promote Health Law’s Preventive Benefits

They aren鈥檛 campaign ads, but two new television commercials from the Obama administration that promote the president鈥檚 health law may also be boosting its聽image.

The ads, which began airing this summer, tout the law鈥檚 preventive services benefits, including coverage of vaccinations, mammograms and other screenings. For many people, these services will now be available through their health insurance without a co-pay or out-of-pocket costs.

鈥淩ight now, millions of Americans are using their preventive benefits from the health care law. You can, too,鈥 says one of the ads鈥 voiceovers.

Asked about the campaign, a Department of Health and Human Services official noted that the health law itself called for an 鈥渆ducation and outreach campaign.鈥 says that, along with explaining the new preventive benefits, the campaign should describe 鈥渢he importance of utilizing preventive services to promote wellness, reduce health disparities, and mitigate chronic disease.鈥

Opponents of the law have criticized HHS for its spending on promotional campaigns. In May,聽Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken.,聽 over a $20 million contract that HHS signed with a public relations firm.

Their displeasure has not since dissipated.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 take a 2,700-page law that raises costs and premiums, hikes taxes on the middle class and raids Medicare to improve preventive health,鈥 wrote Michael Brumas, a McConnell spokesman, in an聽email this week聽to Kaiser Health News.

Portman, who has been mentioned as a potential VP pick for Mitt Romney, sent a to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to request more information about the PR contract. Having not yet received a response, Portman July 31 that would require Sebelius to comply with his request.

Here are the ads, along with transcripts:

Today a mom will see her doctor, a dad will get a screening, a little one will get a vaccine, and a teen will talk with a doc. Right now, millions of Americans are using their preventive benefits from the health care law. You can, too. Not just because there may be no insurance co-pays or out-of-pocket costs, but because of all those tomorrows you want to see. Use your benefits today. Learn more at healthcare.gov.

It isn鈥檛 just your mammogram — it鈥檚 your teenager鈥檚 first varsity game. It isn鈥檛 just your annual exam — it鈥檚 your daughter鈥檚 wedding. Did you know with your health insurance you may now have some preventive benefits with no co-pays or out-of-pocket costs? It isn鈥檛 just your cholesterol screening — it鈥檚 all the tomorrows you鈥檙e looking forward to. Learn more at healthcare.gov.

More from 杨贵妃传媒視頻 Health News