Fabrications & Falsehoods

10/28/2006

Dear Friend:

Tim Pawlenty continues to run the most negative governor’s campaign in state history.

Look at what WCCO TV’s “Reality Check” recently said about the governor’s outrageous ad that falsely blames me for the rising health insurance premiums approved by his Administration :

“Reality Check: Pawlenty’s Health Care Premiums Ad

(WCCO) The health care ad from Gov. Tim Pawlenty blames his opponent Mike Hatch for skyrocketing health care premiums. But the ad makes deceptive claims that create a false impression.

“In 2001 and Mike Hatch took over my HMO,” the woman in the ad says.

But this is a DISTORTION. What really happened back in 2001: the health care company Allina split into two separate companies—Allina and Medica. That was after an investigation by Attorney General Hatch found exorbitant executive salaries, questionable expenses and perks, even fraud. Hatch helped select the new Medica Board of Directors, but he in no way took over Medica.

“He said he would lower premiums 6 percent. But instead of premiums going down, they went up 43 percent ... 43 percent,” the woman continues.

This is extremely MISLEADING. The attorney general has no power to lower premiums, or raise them. In fact, oversight of health care premiums is the job of Minnesota’s governor, whoever it is.

In this case, Pawlenty’s Department of Commerce approved Medica’s premium hikes, not Mike Hatch. Incidentally, the rate hike for Medica was 38 percent, not 43. That’s about average for all health care companies over time in Minnesota.

“He also supported a plan that would have hiked premiums another 40 per cent. I’ve seen what Mike Hatch does with health care. I can’t afford to have him be my governor,” the woman finishes.

This is an EXAGGERATION. The plan Hatch supported is called the Patient’s Bill of Rights. It allows consumers to sue their health care providers for punitive damages. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce opposed it, claiming it would cause premiums to rise.

That’s Reality Check.”

In politics, it is important that attack ads not go unchecked.  Because of the governor’s fabrications, I need to keep running this response ad:

**KEEP THIS AD RUNNING!**

Please help me fund the cost of running our response ad by making an online donation today.  We are running a very lean operation, and your donation will be used to help keep us competitive on the airwaves.

I appreciate your support and thank you for your help!

Sincerely,

Mike Hatch

P.S.  The media have condemned Pawlenty’s attack ads as misleading and unfair.  I need to raise money to counter his attacks.  Please make an online donation today to help fund the cost of our response ads so that we can win this election and finally start moving Minnesota forward!

JUST 9 DAYS TO GO!!!