AAHP to Begin $1M Television Advertising Campaign Against Patients’ Rights Legislation

The American Association of Health Plans this week is expected to launch an "aggressive" television advertising "blitz" to "attempt to sway federal debate over managed-care reform," the Chicago Tribune reports. The association opposes patients' rights legislation, which it says could "open self-insured companies to liability" from which current federal law shields them. AAHP will spend up to $1 million for the campaign, which will air nationwide and in targeted markets, including Chicago, home to the AMA, which "adamant[ly]" supports legislation that would hold insurers liable in malpractice cases. The ads will include the results of an AAHP-sponsored poll showing that 75% of physicians prefer independent review of health plans' medical decisions over lawsuits. Mark Merritt, vice president and chief strategist for AAHP, said, "What people want and doctors want is a simple solution to make health plans accountable and not a health system that is flooded with lawsuits" (Japsen, Chicago Tribune, 3/20).