White House video features Joe Biden as part of effort to push back on health reform 'misinformation'

Dec 1 2009

CNN: "The White House is 'geared up to go on offense' on health care messaging this week, a White House official tells CNN. As the Senate debate over health care reform gets underway, the administration is planning to "push back on the distortions and misinformation ... being circulated by interest groups and opponents." The new offensive includes a video featuring Vice President Joe Biden and the presidents of the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Family Physicians" (11/30).

In the video, which was posted on the White House website today, "Biden asks whether people should trust 'the people who say you'd be better off if you just left things the way they are' or 'the folks who actually know something about what's happening in our health care system,'" USA Today's blog "On Politics" reports. Also in the video, "Dr. Lori Heim, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and Rebecca Patton, president of the American Nurses Association" outline some of their frustrations with the existing health system (Seaman, 11/30).

According to The Hill's "Blog Briefing Room," Biden "said that Americans should trust those doctors and nurses' take on the need for reform above other groups' opinions. 'These are the people I trust, and I know you do, too,' Biden said. 'These are the folks who see it all.'"

"The status quo is simply unsustainable, but we're going to pass healthcare insurance reform," he said. "When it comes to something as important as your health, listen to the people you trust" (O'Brien, 11/30).