Remember that scandal last week about fake Medicare ads boosting the prescription drugs program? Didn't that make you think the repugs would withdraw them, at least for a minute? They haven't. I just saw one on the Weather Channel (which is probably a good place to reach seniors). It's not put out by the administration; it's put out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, whose name across the bottom in the beginning frankly makes it look even more official, especially when coupled with its Public Service Announcement graphic style. And it's extremely well done. Even an eagle eye like me did a double take when it first went by and thought "Could any of that possibly be true?" It was only after Tivoing it back that I found the casual weasel words in each statement that completely negated them. It was like the old days with WMD. Below is a script of the ad, which is all voice over, silent images of happy seniors, and large print text repeating the voice over message. Believe me, in person it looked totally official and like very good news. It is exactly the thing they can excoriated for less than a week ago. These people have no shame.
[Time of occurrence: 3:44 p.m. EST, Tue March 23, The Weather Channel. But it's in rotation and I just saw it come on again.]
<Voice Over Script>
[Screen text that doesn't echo the VO in brackets]
In the next 2 years, a drug benefit will be added to Medicare. [Paid for by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.]
What does it mean for you?
Lower Drug Costs with a discount card that reduces costs by 10-25%. [HHS Study 12/8/03]
But that's just the beginning. When the law is fully implemented, the typical senior without drug coverage could have out of pocket costs reduced by 50% or more. [HHS Study 12/8/03]
Lower income seniors won't pay more than $5 for a prescription. [HHS Study 12/8/03]
And all other seniors will have peace of mind, knowing their catastrophic drug costs will be covered.
Learn more today. Call 1-800-Medicare.
<End Script>