Should Every ACA Ad Have A Reminder That Taxpayers Foot The Bill? (H.R. 537)

What is H.R. 537?

(Updated August 18, 2020)

Not all Affordable Care Act (ACA) advertisements involve Buzzfeed and selfie-sticks; most are large-scale and funded with taxpayer dollars. As campaigns for the President's heath care law seek the eyes and ears of the widest possible audience —  this bill aims to make sure audiences know they are footing the bill. 

If passed, this bill would mandate that   federally-funded advertisement that aims to educate the public on ACA programs and requirements include a statement clearly stating that the communication was produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.

Argument in favor

Taxpayers have to pay for Obamacare advertisements, whether or not they support the program. Including the cost to taxpayers is more than fair: it replaces propaganda with reality.

Argument opposed

Of course taxpayers have to pay for these advertisements, the same way their money goes to other federal communications. This bill aims to use heavily biased language to intentionally diminish the integrity of the the Affordable Care Act.

Impact

Taxpayers, people in the market for health insurance, people being paid for producing Affordable Care Act advertisements, healthcare providers who work within the ACA, and other federal communications.

Cost of H.R. 537

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In Depth:

Media:

Sponsoring Rep. Steve Womack (R-AK) Press Release

The Arkansas Project

Summary By Saranna Rotgard

(Photo Credit: Twitter user MomsRising)