Health care reform supports hit TV, target Kirk, Foster, Halvorson

The raging debate over health care reform efforts in Congress has hit suburban TV screens in a very local way.

Supporters for the landmark proposal that passed the U.S. House last week have launched TV ads backing up the "Yes" votes by U.S. representatives Bill Foster, of Batavia, and Debbie Halvorson, of Crete, both Democrats.

Meanwhile, Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park, who is now running for Senate, is attacked for his "No" vote in another ad by supporters of the proposal, which mandates the purchase of health insurance, creates a government-run insurance option and federally regulated insurance exchange.

"Tell Mark Kirk it is time to say 'no' to insurance companies and 'yes' to Illinois families," says the announcer on the ad in urging viewers to call Kirk's office.

The anti-Kirk ad highlights other elements of the proposal, including an end to pre-existing condition clauses in insurance contracts and universal caps on out-of-pocket charges. The ad is paid for by a group called Foundation for Patients Rights, which is aligned with the Service Employees International Union.

The TV ads supporting Foster and Halvorson are paid for by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the powerful union of government workers. All three ads are part of a national effort by both organizations to sway public debate on health care reform.

The AFSCME ads start out by saying the lawmakers' support was "about more than just health care."

"It is about helping small business survive and grow the economy," the announcers says, before listing other reasons to support the proposal.

Foster held a forum in his Far West suburban district Friday to explain why he supports the Democrats' reform efforts. Meanwhile, Kirk has been unabashed in his opposition to the Democratic health care proposals as he runs for Senate in a crowded Republican field.

Kirk and U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican, have scheduled a joint news conference for Monday in Chicago to highlight a report by the Illinois Policy Institute that says the health care reform proposal will hurt the economy.

The institute puts out studies that oppose government programs and interventions in favor of "free market" solutions. It has been a leading policy critic of the Democrats' health care reform push.

While Kirk has always opposed the reform push, Foster and Halvorson have been more on the fence on the specifics, deciding within days before last week's vote to support the final House package.

Both are freshmen in districts formerly held by Republicans, and they are expected to face a tough GOP challenge next year. Foster represents the 14th District, once held by Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Halvorson represents the South suburban 11th district, formerly held by Republican Jerry Weller.

All Illinois Republican lawmakers in the House opposed the measure while all the of state's Democrats voted for it. It passed with a two-vote margin.

Kirk, Foster and Halvorson, along with every other House member, will have to vote on health care reform again before it can advance to Obama's desk. The final version will be merged with a Senate proposal, if that passes in the coming weeks.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/2919">See the ads on 'Animal Farm' blog </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>