Valor Healthcare 'outraged' at McConnell spot

The health care company criticized in the ad blitz from the campaign of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) released a statement today denouncing what it called the "mischaracterization" of its reputation in attack ads meant to sully the reputation of one of its directors - McConnell's opponent, businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville).

"Valor Healthcare is outraged at this repeated manipulation of U.S. veterans and the mischaracterization of our company - all for political gain," read a statement from the company.

Valor  has crept into Kentucky's political narrative amid continual attack ads from McConnell's camp, accusing the company - founded by Lunsford - of mistreating veterans at its VA health clinics. Several different versions of the ads targeting Valor have been run, each featuring a different set of veterans or relatives of a veteran seemingly denouncing the care available at clinics run by the company. Each ad prominently allocates blame to Lunsford for the alleged misdeeds.

In the latest incarnation of the Valor assault, the widow of Army veteran Ira Woodman appears to implicate the Valor clinic in the death of her husband.

"I believe that the clinic helped kill my husband," says Susie Woodman in the ad. Ms. Woodman then claims in the ad that "one lousy test could have saved Woody's life."

In its statement, Valor confirms Mr. Woodman was a patient, saying he "was treated for multiple, significant and complex health conditions by a team of medical professionals at the clinic, as well as specialists at the VA Hospital."

"We are sympathetic for Mrs. Woodman's loss and we honor the time her late husband served our country," continued the statement. "We are extremely proud of the care we provide at our clinics - including the care we provided Mr. Woodman - and our track record of caring for U.S. veterans."  

Lunsford's earlier defenses against the ad included a response spot of his own as well as references to praise for Valor clinics and citations of a "gold seal" of reaccreditation.

Today, the Lunsford camp reportedly labeled the latest spot on Valor as "despicable."

"At a time when the whole nation is focused on our serious economic problems, it's sad and outrageous - over the top, really - that Mitch McConnell has once again resorted to smears and innuendo. It proves again that he will say or do anything to hold onto power," Lunsford's spokesperson Cary Stemle told the Lexington Herald-Leader.

The Valor ads have stirred considerable criticism and response from the Lunsford side.

An earlier ad featuring veteran Adolfo Pina seemingly criticizing the company was rebutted by the Lunsford camp with a spot of their own featuring Pina appearing to say McConnell treated veterans "in a very wrong way," insinuating the ad took his words out of context.

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