Support for Dems' health law draws early attacks in Wisc. Senate race

In other news related to health reform politics, a coalition of health insurers and small businesses is launching a new assault on the law.

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire: Club For Growth Targets Thompson In Wisconsin Senate Race
Former GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin has yet to officially join his state's Senate race, but he is already facing attacks from the right. Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy group, will launch television ads Wednesday accusing Mr. Thompson of supporting spending increases and Democrats' health care overhaul (Yadron, 8/23).

The Hill: Club For Growth Running TV As Against Tommy Thompson
The fiscally conservative Club for Growth will run television ads hitting former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) on his tax record ahead of Thompson's likely Senate bid. The group has been highly critical of Thompson, who also served in President George W. Bush's Cabinet as secretary of Health and Human Services, because of his early support of President Obama's health insurance reform law and of the individual mandate. Thompson has since disavowed the law. The group's ad hits Thompson for this, playing a clip of Obama saying Thompson supported the legislation, and for tax increases he supported as governor (Joseph, 8/23). 

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The Hill: AHIP, NFIB Launch New Push Against Tax On Health Plans
Health insurers and small businesses are launching a new salvo in their campaign against the health care reform law's tax on insurance policies. America's Health Insurance Plans and the National Federation of Independent Business announced the partnership Tuesday. The groups created a new website about the tax, which is set to take effect in 2014, and said they'll jointly lobby members of Congress to repeal the provision. The tax is set to raise $8 billion in 2014. AHIP and NFIB say it contradicts health care reform's goal of making coverage more affordable (Baker, 8/23).