Health care industry launches new ads against public option for convention

A coalition of major health care industry groups unveiled new ads on Friday against a public option for health insurance, an idea backed by presumptive nominee Joe Biden, that will run during the coming party conventions and into the fall. 

The ads do not mention Biden by name, but they take aim at his signature health policy proposal, a government-run option for health insurance, as the health care industry looks to build opposition ahead of a possible Democratic takeover of Washington next year.

The ads come from a group called the Partnership for America’s Health Care Future, whose members include many of the major players in the health industry, including drug companies, insurers and hospitals. Those industry players are united in opposing a public option, and are worried they would take a financial hit from the proposal. 

“They make it sound great, but here’s what they don’t tell you: Your taxes would pay for a public option,” one of the ads states. 

Biden’s campaign has proposed paying for his plan by raising taxes only on high earners. 

“Let’s build on what’s working, not start over,” states another.

The ads will air on TV in “select markets” during both the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention, the group said, and continue running through the fall. There will also be Facebook, Twitter and YouTube ads. 

A spokesman for the group said the ads are “part of a seven-figure nationwide public education effort.”