Last minute health care ad blitz targets blacks

Congress is on the verge of enacting historic health care reform this week and millions of dollars are being spent in last minute ad campaigns targeting members of Congress and key constituency groups to pressure them.

Americans United for Change, a liberal group that supports health care reform, is reportedly spending $500,000 on radio and television commercials aimed primarily at African-American viewers and their representatives, according to the New York Times.

See the ad below.

But half a million dollars pales in comparison to the millions of dollars being spent against health care reform in this stage.

Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group opposed to the health care legislation, is reportedly spending $750,000 to run TV ads against the bill in 18 targeted Congressional districts. The AFP ad depicts a woman who fears that health care reform will mean a government takeover of the health care industry that could prevent women from being tested for cancer.

See the ad below.

The Times reports that $10 million or more may be spent on ads in the final days. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents many businesses, may spend up to $10 million on ads to kill the bill. And America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents insurance companies, will spend more than $1 million of its own money to defend the industry from reform.

Meanwhile, the White House is using the power of the presidency to push for health care reform, including speeches and arm twisting by Barack Obama. The administration's media efforts have also gone viral, including a newly released video of President Obama speaking out for health care reform this week.

See the full White House video below.

The White House has also launched its own "numbers" campaign designed to give out specific figures to help underscore the need for reform.

The most recent number is 50/50. The White House says there's roughly a 50/50 chance that you will find yourself without coverage at some point in the next decade if you're under 65 years old.

In other numbers, the White House says 8 people every minute are denied coverage, charged a higher rate, or otherwise discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition.