In a strategic move to promote and publicize the new health insurance coverage options set to become available to the public for 2014, the Obama administration has asked the National Football League (NFL) to help advertise the new health insurance products available as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). With less than 100 days to go until annual enrollment is set to begin on October 1, the Obama administration is taking stock of its field position and going on the offensive to make sure implementation moves forward on January 1, 2014.
Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), said that the NFL has been “very actively and enthusiastically engaged” in discussions. HHS cites the NFL’s ability to reach a wide audience, in particular the young and healthy individuals whose purchase of health insurance coverage is likely to be crucial to PPACA’s ultimate success. The NFL stated the league has nothing to report at this time.
HHS has also given www.healthcare.gov a sleek new look as it readies the website to be the go-to resource for enrolling in qualified health insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplaces, as well as information on healthcare reform for individuals, families and small businesses. HHS has also launched a companion site in Spanish, located at www.cuidadodesalud.gov.
For more information, see this article from The Hill’s HeathWatch Blog, and this article from The Washington Times.
UPDATE: The NFL has decided not to engage in promotion of PPACA’s coverage options and Health Insurance Marketplaces, the Washington Post reports. The decision likely comes as a result of a stern letter sent to six major sports organizations, including the NFL and Major League Baseball. For more information, see the article from The Washington Post. The AP, CNN, and Politico also reported on the story.
