Anti-Health Care Reform Group Pulls Ads, Citing Respect For Kennedy

One of the most vociferous opponents of Democratic health care legislation, led by former hospital executive Rick Scott, has pulled its anti-health care ads, saying that it wanted to respect the death of Edward Kennedy.

The well-funded group, Conservatives for Patients' Rights, has been a polarizing force in the debate. Its most recent ads mocked President Obama for going on vacation.

"With the sad news of Senator Kennedy's passing Conservatives for Patients Rights is immediately suspending our ad campaign for health care reform out of respect to the Kennedy family as well as the Senator's colleagues and supporters, to whom we extend our condolences," said Scott in a statement.

The move may have not just be about class, since it also saves the group a chunk of money it can deploy in the fall.

Kennedy's passing has the potential to lower the temperature of the health care debate, which heated up in August at town halls and has descended into dueling conference calls, with both parties accusing the other of negotiating in bad faith. (One party, however, admits to negotiating in bad faith, so at least one of the charges is fair.)


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/26/anti-health-care-reform-g_n_269920.html