MedCity News eNewsletter

White House takes a page from Buzzfeed’s playbook in March Madness HealthCare.gov promo

In case you haven’t already heard, the White House wants you to buy health insurance. Its latest promotional pitch is a play on March Madness that looks more like a Buzzfeed article than a promo for health insurance. The “ACA Bracket” pits “16 sweetest reasons to get covered” against one another — from “birth control […]

In case you haven’t already heard, the White House wants you to buy health insurance.

Its latest promotional pitch is a play on March Madness that looks more like a Buzzfeed article than a promo for health insurance.

The “ACA Bracket” pits “16 sweetest reasons to get covered” against one another — from “birth control is free” to “it will give your mom peace of mind.”

Each comes complete with its own accompanying GIF. Cute pandas, dancing Michelle Obama and coaches Roy Williams and Geno Auriemma all make appearances. Along with each GIF is a button to “vote” for it by sharing via social media.

As the March 31 enrollment deadline nears, the White House has been promoting HealthCare.gov every which way it can. More than 5 million people have signed up for health insurance under the law, the administration has said, but fewer than expected are between the ages of 18 and 34 – a key age bracket for balancing out the risk pool.

If you’re a basketball fan, this is just the beginning. The Washington Post reported that more coaches and athletes, including LeBron James, will appear in promotions throughout the month encouraging people to sign up.