Americans United for Change launched a new television ad campaign in Arkansas today applauding U.S. Reps. Marion Berry and Vic Snyder for standing up to the big health insurance industry and helping pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act on behalf of Arkansas families. The TV spot called “It’s Time” is airing throughout the week in the Little Rock  and Jonesboro media markets. Click here to watch ad.

The historic health insurance reform legislation, which passed in the U.S. House on Saturday and is now headed to the U.S. Senate, will cover 96-percent of the American people, make coverage more affordable for all Americans, strengthen Medicare, and finally put an end to the indefensible health insurance industry practices of denying coverage based on “pre-existing conditions” and rescinding policies when Americans get sick and need it most. In addition, the legislation is fiscally responsible and fully paid for. On July 17, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the cost of the bill’s reforms was $1.042 trillion over 10 years, while the bill’s cost savings and revenues totaled $1.048 trillion. 

Click here for more information on the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

“Struggling Arkansas families are closer than ever to having access to the quality, affordable health care they deserve thanks in no small part to Congressmen Marion Berry and Vic Snyder. Representatives Berry and Snyder stood up to the big insurance and stood alongside the AARP, the American Medical Association and the clear majority of the American people.   Both Representatives were under enormous pressure from the big insurance companies that want to kill reform so they can keep raising premiums on Arkansas families four times faster than wages and keep rescinding policies when people get sick.   Both ignored the dishonest rhetoric from the forces of status quo and listened to their constituents that are sick and tired worrying about going bankrupt because of medical bills.  We hope Arkansas’ entire Congressional delegation follows their lead,” said Tom McMahon, Acting Executive Director, Americans United for Change.

Americans United for Change is an issue-advocacy organization founded in 2005 to help defeat President Bush’s effort to privatize Social Security. Since then, Americans United has waged numerous media campaigns to move forward a progressive agenda in Congress, from expanding children’s health care to millions of kids in need, to ending the war in Iraq, to investing in the clean energy jobs of the future, to passing major health insurance reform including a public option.