Fictional couple who attacked universal health care switch sides

AMERICA (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Almost two decades ago, the fictional couple of Harry and Louise transformed a real-life political debate.

Back when President Clinton proposed universal health coverage, and as First Lady Hillary Clinton sold the concept to congress, the Harry and Louise ads instantly unified the opposition by labeling the Clinton plan a government takeover.

15 years later, patient rights and hospital groups are borrowing Harry and Louise. In a new ad, the couple switches sides in support of health care reform.

At a press conference, the same health insurance lobby that paid out $17 million for Harry and Louise to defeat the Clinton plan now says that it supports the idea of universal coverage, and likes the new ad campaign.

The new version of Harry and Louise features the same actors, but with a budget about one tenth the size of the original, and will be appearing soon on a TV screen near you.

The groups behind the campaign hasn't touched the tough question of which presidential candidate, Obama or McCain, has the better health care ideas. Their angle is to generate so much public and industry-backed pressure that health care reform gets accomplished regardless of who's president.