1199 Challenges Paterson To Follow Obama's Instructions

For the state budget battle, no one is as big an "outside" player as GYNHA/1199 in pushing for a healthy amount of health are funding. Medicaid has taken a hit in Governor Paterson's budget proposal and the unions aren't having any of it. In fact, it seems as if one of their own that took a job in Obama's Administration tailored some of the President's words expressly to ensure that Medicaid is not cut in any way, shape or form.

From The Times-Union:

Addressing a group of governors at the White House two days ago, Obama said of the stimulus FMAP funding, “This plan will also help ensure that you don’t need to make cuts to essential services Americans rely on now more than ever.”

New York health care advocates were sending the quote around as soon as the White House press release came out. (Even then, we said that it would make a great tv ad).

But it was only words - not the same as getting the new (and popular) president on camera.

Lo and behold, yesterday a tv clip emerges. (Liz over at the Daily Politics posted the clip yesterday with the headline, 1199’s Next Ad?)

A source with knowledge of 1199’s strategy confirms that Obama’s sound bite will appear as the next round of ads.

(Imagine, a flattering picture of Obama - “President Obama wants to protect healthcare for New Yorkers” - cut to sound clip of Obama - cut to picture of the governor with the voiceover “but Gov. David Paterson just won’t listen….”)

And you know that 1199 will go there, especially after the ad they ran just a couple of weeks ago. Health care is big business in New York and a lot of people depend on Medicaid. With $2 billion in funds dedicated to our state alone, Governor Paterson better take heed or else he'll be losing even more friends as the primary season inches closer and closer to his doorstep.