Health-care reform: Behind the ads

Heard the ad that says "government, not doctors, will decide if older patients are worth the cost"? How about "The cost of doing nothing on health care is just too high"? Chances are you'll be hearing more of that back-and-forth: As of early September, more than $75 million had already been spent on ads about reforming the health-care system—most in favor of it.

Some ads are from easily identified organizations, but others come from individual groups and alliances that are harder to peg. Before you buy their messages, it's good to know what the senders stand for. Here's the story behind three of the more vocal groups you may not know, with a description of a TV ad each has funded.