White House looks to boost health law at 6 months

Source Associated Press

President Barack Obama once told Democratic lawmakers they'd be proud to campaign on historic health care legislation. Six months later, the only Democrats running ads about it are the ones who voted "no." Now, with crucial midterm elections approaching, the White House is preparing to use the law's six-month anniversary to reintroduce it to skeptical voters and trumpet new reforms that are taking effect, such as new coverage for preventive care and young adults and a ban on canceling insurance for someone who falls ill. Democrats are packaging the provisions, which kick in Thursday, as a "Patient's Bill of Rights," and Obama is advertising them Wednesday at an event in Virginia with beneficiaries. Even supporters acknowledge there's probably not enough time to turn around public opinion on the health care issue before November elections that are expected to punish Democrats. But in a campaign season dominated by jobs and the economy, Democrats hope to remind voters of some tangible benefits the health care overhaul will bring and move to undercut GOP arguments against it.