Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Aug 1, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The Grammy award-winning Southern Gospel singer Andy Griffith has taken up a new job of pitching President Barack Obama’s health care law in a new television ad. The “Matlock” actor talked about Medicare in the advertisement and informed about the new health care reform bill as well. The new cable TV ad was premiered on Medicare’s 45th birthday and it is a part of annual Medicare open enrollment campaign.

Andy Griffith is the spokesperson of Medicare’s $700,000 ad campaign where he speaks about the new reform law which will make Medicare better. The advertisement starts with Andy Griffith, 84, saying that in the year 1965 lot of good things came out like “Medicare” and then assuring the audience that this year too they will have their guaranteed benefits. The actor then adds that with the new health care law more good things will come to people regarding their health care with free check-ups, lower prescription costs and better ways to protect people and Medicare from fraud.

Medicare officials have said that “The Andy Griffith Show” host’s new advertisement is not political but designed only to educate senior citizens to the reform law’s new benefits. Presidential adviser Stephanie Cutter said that the senior citizens were the target of a major misinformation campaign and the new advertisement will help to rectify the previous record and have the information they need and get the best possible care they deserve without wasting much money. However, the first part of the reform law will take its effect from September 23, 2010.