The faces of Harry and Louise may not be familiar to the younger generations, unconcerned with health care reform and President Obama’s health care plans, but those of us who have been around a while and have watched this debate blossom over the years know exactly who Harry and Louise are.
A few years back, and by a few years I mean back in the early 90’s, President Clinton was proposing a health care overhaul. Harry and Louise were the anti-avatars, rejecting health care reform and preferring to stick with private insurance. 
In the commercial, Harry and Louise were much younger, more successful, and a product of the ‘me-generation,’ worrying about themselves and their plight in life rather than the bigger picture. In ’93 and ’94 their commercials targeted the widespread fears that people held about how their health care choices and plans would change, and how their options would be limited.
“Having choices we don’t like is no choice at all,” the Louise character fretted to her husband in one spot set around a kitchen table stacked with medical bills.
Now, Harry and Louise are back with a new message. I have yet to see these commercials during the few moments I actually get to sit down and watch TV, but according to the New York Times Harry and Louise have changed directions. They are now for health care reform. Or, maybe I should say, their sponsors and check-writers are for health care reform.
Perhaps times have changed so dramatically since 1993 that Harry and Louise have changed right along with them. In the early ‘90’s, we went through a small and short recession, nothing compared to what we have faced in the past year, and by 1993 we were coming out of it strong and getting back into the groove of making that money and chasing those American dreams. When President Clinton wanted to overhaul the health care system right when things were getting back on track, Harry and Louise stepped in and did their part.
Apparently Harry and Louise played a huge part, because President Clinton’s health care reform plans went down the drain. Now, with the recession beating us down and the unemployment rates at the highest in over 25 years, maybe Harry and Louise’s message will touch a different nerve in people.
This time around, Harry and Louise are worried about the financial stability and economy of our nation, and their financial future as they are growing older and reaching retirement. They’re message has changed dramatically from caring about only their needs and future, to caring about everyone’s. It’s a sign of the times, and a tribute to how America has changed since 9/11, to see Harry and Louise, the stark anti-health care reform couple, stand up and say that we need to think about all Americans and what might be best for the United States.
To learn more about the right health care plan for you, visit http://www.noinsuranceclub.com.
