It’s a little more than a month into Obamacare’s rollout and thus far the healthcare law’s implementation has been dismal. But what’s even more of a failure is the Obama administration’s inability to persuade young Americans to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges, even after shelling out millions to lure them into the marketplace.
In an effort to encourage young people to enroll in Obamacare’s exchanges, we’ve seen “brosurance,” “hosurance,” a “Scandal”-themed video starring Jennifer Hudson and countless tweets from A-list celebs.
But while President Obama perfected the art of reaching out to Millennials following his performances in both the 2008 and 2012 elections, his ability to sway 18- to 29-year-olds to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges has been dismal at best.
Celebrity tweets and Funny or Die videos — especially those that aren’t particularly funny — don’t exactly encourage action.
Not long after the release of a the controversial “brosurance” from Colorado’s state health insurance exchange, the world — and Millennials, specifically — was introduced to what has been dubbed “hosurance.”
The promotions feature 20-somethings doing what 20-somethings do: slugging beer, sipping some red wine with your BFFL and snagging a one-night-stand. Yes, the advertisements actually make it seem like the most important thing to a young American is the ability to have a one-night-stand.
Beyond Colorado’s ad campaign, the White House enlisted the help of a slew of A-list celebrities to persuade Millennials to enroll in the exchange. Those tasked with using their clout to push Obamacare include Amy Poehler, Jennifer Hudson, Olivia Wilde, John Legend … the list goes on and on.
Others, including Katy Perry and Jason Derulo have taken to Twitter to encourage young Americans to #getcovered.
But look, Mr. President, we’re not that stupid. And just because someone in Hollywood says we have to jump on this Obamacare train(wreck) doesn’t mean we’re actually going to do it.
Students at the University of Colorado lashed out against the “brosurance” and “hosurance” in a video from Campus Reform. The students called the ads “sexist” and “degrading” — clearly not the intended reaction neither Obama nor Connect for Health Colorado hoped for.
Despite the administration’s best efforts, the President who reinvigorated “The Lost Generation” is, well, losing them.
According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, only 36 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 approve of the way Obama is handling his job as President. Even more telling is the mere 40 percent who approve of the way he’s handling healthcare specifically.
And that not only hurts the President, but all who purchase insurance from the federal and state exchanges. More than 2.7 million 18- to 29-year-olds need to enroll in the marketplaces in order for premiums to remain low for others in the insurance pool.
But endorsements from Lady Gaga and Jon Bon Jovi aren’t making that happen.
Young Americans have heard about the skyrocketing cost of premiums and the burden of those high costs that’s being strapped to their backs. And no amount of promises of an enrollment process that’s as easy as that guy you meet in a bar is going to change that.
