 This is the latest installment in our Adwatch series analyzing campaign television and radio advertising in the 1998 elections. Today’s focus is on the U.S. Senate race. The candidates: Sen. Paul Coverdell (Republican), Michael Coles (Democrat), Bert Loftman (Libertarian). The issue: Patients’ rights to sue HMOs. The ad: “Fair” A 30-second spot for Michael Coles by Shrum, Devine, Donilon. The script: “Does this sound fair to you?” “Right now, as a member of the United States Senate, Paul Coverdell has a special right to sue his health plan for medical malpractice. “But Coverdell is opposed to giving you the right to hold your H.M.O accountable. “Coverdell has voted against giving citizens the right to sue HMOs. He believes HMOs deserve special protection from any harm they cause. “Holding HMOs accountable for medical malpractice. Paul Coverdell believes it’s good enough for him, but it’s not good enough for you.” The facts: Under a 1974 law, tens of millions of Americans covered by private employer health plans face restrictions on lawsuits against the plans for harm caused by denial of health care benefits. But the law does not apply to those, including Coverdell, who are covered by federal government employee health plans. Coverdell has opposed legislation sponsored by Democratic Sens. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts and Tom Daschle of South Dakota, which would broaden HMO members’ rights to sue. A Coverdell spokesman said the senator favors granting HMO members the right to appeal coverage matters to an independent review board, not granting patients new rights to take their cases to court. |
