Obama's Health-Care Pitch Takes Quirky Route - Cat Videos, College Basketball Are Part of Strategy to Persuade Young People to Sign Up

From The Wall Street Journal:

The White House is counting on cat videos, college basketball and a dancing first lady to help persuade young people to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

President Barack Obama's appearance on the mock talk show "Between Two Ferns" last week drew wide notice and millions of views. The online parody, it turns out, was part of a broader effort that has resulted in Mr. Obama and the first lady chatting up quirky radio DJs and self-proclaimed "digital influencers" on YouTube.

Administration officials say they are using a mix of platforms that reach young adults, but it isn't yet clear whether winning over the host of YouTube's "My Drunk Kitchen" will translate into higher enrollment numbers.

 

And critics contend the first couple risks looking unpresidential.

 

The intensified sales pitch comes as the White House scrambles to meet enrollment targets by March 31, the deadline for signing up for a health plan under the law this year.