Health law supporters plan August strategy to counter criticism

In response to efforts by some Republican lawmakers who are threatening to shut down the government as part of their attempt to stop the health law's implementation, some progressive groups plan to organize their own town hall meetings and stage protests at GOP events, among other things, to tout the law's perks. Others will go door to door to encourage consumers to enter the insurance market.  

Los Angeles Times: Liberal Groups To Counter Anti-Obama Healthcare Efforts In August
With tea party Republicans threatening to shut down the government in an effort to roll back President Obama's healthcare law, several progressive groups are teaming up in a new effort to convince skeptical voters of the benefits of the new law. During the August recess, Americans United for Change and Protect Your Care plan to counter efforts by Republicans to disparage the law. The groups will stage protests at GOP events, organize their own town halls to publicize its perks, and provide "air cover" to the law's defenders (Reston, 8/1).

The Washington Post: Groups Go Door-To-Door To Encourage Enrollment In Obamacare
For the law to succeed, groups such as Enroll America, whose officials include several veterans of Obama campaigns, will need to cajole millions of Americans, including many healthy ones, to enter the insurance market. It could be a tough sell. Confusion about the law is rampant. The online insurance sites, which open for enrollment Oct. 1, could be tricky. Some people who rarely need medical care might view even low-cost health plans as too pricey (Somashekhar, 8/1).

The Washington Post's Post Politics: OFA Launches 'Truth Team' To Defend Obamacare, Other White House Policies
Organizing for Action is launching a "Truth Team" Thursday that will enlist its supporters in efforts to counter criticism of the Affordable Act Act and other White House policies, according to the group's officials. The non-profit associated with President Obama has established a separate Facebook and Twitter account, that will provide its self-described "truth tellers" with statistics and background they can use to tout Obamacare's benefits. While the campaign is launching during the August recess, the aides said, it would continue beyond that (Eilperin, 8/1).

Politico: Kathleen Sebelius Hits The Road To Promote Obamacare
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's beyond-the-Beltway travels this summer include stops meant to activate and invigorate networks ready and waiting to promote Obamacare. She's enlisting community leaders, bloggers and health care providers for on-the-ground outreach this summer and fall. Enrollment runs from October through March, and there's plenty of distrust and confusion across the country (Delreal, 8/2).

CQ HealthBeat: Health Law Camps To Campaign Across America During August Recess
Supporters and opponents of the health care law Thursday announced their plans to host town halls, stage events, run television ads and use other media to make their cases to the American public as lawmakers go home for the August recess and the insurance exchanges are set to open in two months (Bunis, 8/1).