8 years ago

New York (CNN) - One of the most fascinating dynamics of this election year has been the way Democrats have stayed far away from reminding voters they voted for health care reform.

New York Democrat Scott Murphy is now bucking that trend.



He launched a television ad Wednesday aggressively attacking his GOP opponent Chris Gibson for wanting to repeal the health care law.

"Chris Gibson would let insurance companies go back to denying coverage for pre-existing conditions," the ad says, "He would let them restore lifetime limits on coverage. Chris Gibson would eliminate mandatory coverage for preventative care like mammograms and colon screenings, and seniors would pay more for prescription drugs. Chris Gibson, he's for the insurance industry not you."

Murphy initially voted against the health care bill in the House last November, because he said "it did not adequately address the fundamentally flawed system," but he supported the final health care bill in March, saying "it will stop the out of control growth of health care costs, protect our local industries and jobs from unfair taxes, and help small businesses create jobs."

Evan Tracey, the president of Campaign Media Analysis Group which tracks campaign commercials, tells CNN this is the first TV ad he has seen that comes to the defense of the health care law.

"The ads against the health care bill have been so overwhelming, that this ad my signal that Democrats have come to the realization that they can't run from it and may try to re-frame the issue," said Tracey.

Murphy won his seat in a January, 2009 special election. It has been considered competitive and national Republicans and Democrats have poured money into the race. Still, a GOP source involved in strategy there says although internal polls show it a tight race, they believe Murphy has the advantage.