The Upcoming Big Pharma Ads: Will Harry and Louise Change Their Minds?

Actually, my title doesn't have it right. The famous Harry and Louise ads that scuttled the Clinton health reform plan in 1994 were produced by the insurance companies instead of the drugmakers.

But that was still the impression I had when I read about Big Pharma's plans for a $150 million ad campaign on behalf of Obama's health reforms.

The drug industry has authorized its lobbyists to spend as much as $150 million on television commercials supporting President Obama’s health care overhaul, beginning over the August Congressional recess, people briefed on the plans said Saturday.

And it turns out that Harry and Louise did change their minds. The actors for the original ads have appeared in several pro-reform ads over the last few years.

Good for them.

Harry Potter Still Rules

MSN has an article up about whether Harry Potter has lost his magic in light of the "Twilight" vampire series.

The answer to that question--NOT QUITE YET!!

Having kids really does help you stay in contact with the rise and fall of some trends. According to Miss Teen RSI, "Twilight" is the series that's already lost its magic and she can't understand why she ever thought it was cool.

But the authoritative response to the question comes from Miss Tween RSI. She and a friend have already had one Harry Potter film festival and plan to have a complete Harry Potter movie marathon before "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" arrives in theaters.

Harry Potter--Still Big, Really Big.

Health Care Message from President Obama

With the health care wars are getting under way, I got a "personal" letter from President Obama yesterday.

Here's a good chunk of it.

"The campaign to pass real health care reform in 2009 is the biggest test of our movement since the election. Once again, victory is far from certain. Our opposition will be fierce, and they have been down this road before.

To prevail, we must once more build a coast-to-coast operation ready to knock on doors, deploy volunteers, get out the facts, and show the world how real change happens in America.

And just like before, I cannot do it without your support.

So I'm asking you to remember all that you gave over the last two years to get us here -- all the time, resources, and faith you invested as a down payment to earn us our place at this crossroads in history.

All that you've done has led up to this -- and whether or not our country takes the next crucial step depends on what you do right now.

Will you donate whatever you can afford to support the campaign for real health care reform in 2009?

It doesn't matter how much you can give, as long as you give what you can. Millions of families on the brink are counting on us to do just that. I know we can deliver.

Thank you, so much, for getting us this far. And thank you for standing up once again to take us the rest of the way."

The bottom line is that the health care debate is going to be about money--in other words who has the money they need to best get out their message. The Obama administration has a good health care plan with a much needed public option for health insurance. Adapting President Obama's plan will be a big step forward in redesigning the American health system to serve the public as opposed to the health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and medical equipment manufacturers. I could say something about "bleeding the country dry while providing sub-standard care to large sections of the population." But I don't imagine Obama would like that kind of inflammatory rhetoric.

That's why I'm going to contribute up to $100 to the campaign. I hope others do as well.