In a recent television commercial, the Democratic Senator running for office in Wisconsin attacked the Republican opponent for suggesting that people who are obese should pay more for medical care.
Ad Impact Politics uploaded the advertisement on X, a platform that was formerly known as Twitter. The company stated that they have monitored $14.5 million in campaign expenditures from Tammy Baldwin.
“This is the silliest advertisement I’ve seen this cycle.”
“My weight is not anyone’s concern,” a black woman in the advertisement declares.
Another woman adds, “But Eric Hovde wants to make it his.”
“A man says, ‘Eric Hovde believes insurance companies should charge you extra if you’re overweight.”
After that, the video quotes Hovde.
“Those individual decisions ought to have repercussions. Doing that will increase your health care costs.”
“How offensive is that?” asks the African American woman.
The second woman continues, “Hovde would increase healthcare prices for one out of every three residents in Wisconsin.”
“I am Eric Hovde. The man asks himself, “What the hell is wrong with this guy?” and ends.
The advertisement references a Daily Beast piece that criticizes the Republican candidate for asserting that certain obese individuals are choosing to make unhealthy choices. In a widely read article, The Daily Beast labeled the proposal as “cruel.”
Hovde reportedly said to a local channel in 2012, “If you grow obese, your health care is going to cost more.”
“Look! Type 2 diabetes is exploding in our population right now. Obesity rates are sky high.” He said, “You know, we’re taking away people’s accountability for their own health. “Perhaps their behavior patterns would change if they suddenly realized that their health care costs would increase if they continued to consume fatty meals and soda in large quantities every day, in addition to not exercising.”
The article quoted a number of specialists who argued that willpower or personal accountability had no bearing on obesity.
Obesity researcher Dr. Melanie Jay stated, “It’s a fairly nasty and hazardous thing to say.”
“I hope everyone who shames obese individuals gains weight!”
Social media users widely shared and mocked the advertisement after it gained significant traction.
One comment said, “This is the most ludicrous ad I’ve seen this season.”
“I say yes, as someone who weighs more than 400 pounds.” Another response said, “Your healthcare SHOULD cost more if you are obese.”
Another response said, “There’s no doubt that overweight people should pay more for health insurance.”
Insurance is “coverage against an evaluated risk.” Another commenter stated, “Yes, having more body fat increases your medical risk and should result in a higher rate.”
However, some people wanted those who were fatphobic to gain weight.
Dieting alone won’t help you lose weight or keep it off. Being obese is a complicated issue with many underlying causes. I pray that everyone who makes fun of chubby individuals gains weight.” read a single reply.
Democrats now hold a tiny majority in the Senate due to the vice president tiebreaker, but the key election will help determine which party has sway in this equally split chamber.
Hovde has invited Baldwin to three debates; however, her campaign has only consented to attend one and won’t send Baldwin to the other two.
