A new advertising campaign started up yesterday, with a $12 million budget, backing proposed reforms to the nation's health care system. The ads will be shown in areas where Democrats in Congress and the Senate may have substantial opposition on the issue. The group is functioning under the name Americans for Stable Quality Care, and is said to be a response to organized opposition to healthcare reform as demonstrated by strong outbursts and disruptions at recent town hall discussions of the issues.

The money is coming from interested parties including the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the American Medical Association; FamiliesUSA; the Federation of American Hospitals; and the Service Employees International Union. PhRMA is reported to be on board in exchange for a committment from the administration that Medicare will not be permitted to negotiate prices, and has committed for $80 billion over the next ten years. (Dave Sagarin, August 14, 2009)