Leave it to former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson to swoop in with an assist to promote the Affordable Care Act — despite the law’s roll out being ruled a total flop.
The basketball legend — a long-time supporter of President Barack Obama — took to the White House blog to promote Obamacare, calling it a “slam dunk.” Johnson, a five-time National Basketball Association champion, encouraged readers to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace.
“It was important that I had the insurance needed to protect me in case I got hurt. It’s been almost 20 years since my playing days and having health insurance is still important to me,” Johnson wrote. ” All athletes know that a broken bone, or knee surgery can cost a lot, and medical bills can add up. But it doesn’t just happen to professional athletes, it can happen to anybody. And, without health insurance, some medical treatments can cost thousands of dollars.”
In an accompanying video, Johnson goes on to explain how quality, affordable healthcare saved his life, as it was during a physical 22 years ago that Johnson learned he had HIV.
“If it wasn’t for that quality healthcare that I had and the plan that I had, I probably would have been dead,” the basketball player-turned businessman said.
Johnson then turned his attention toward Millennials.
“Young people, they think they’re Superman, like nothing’s ever going to happen to them,” he said. “But trust me; one day something’s going to happen, and you’re going to need a quality health plan. So make sure you get Obamacare.”
Johnson joins a bevy of celebrities tasked with promoting the President’s signature law through the White House’s #GetCovered campaign. After the disastrous roll out of the Affordable Care Act, the Obama administration shifted its attention toward getting young people to enroll.
To prevent what experts call a “death spiral,” or a spike in premiums, from occurring, 2.7 million 18- to 35-year-olds must register for health insurance through Obamacare. However, an initial age breakdown of Obamacare enrollees released by the Department of Health and Human Services showed youth enrollment falls short of the White House’s target at just 24 percent.
The Obama administration plans to hold a National Youth Enrollment Day on Feb. 15 to continue its push toward the younger demographic.
Watch Johnson’s video promoting Obamacare below.
