http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/205018-celebs-celebrate-o-care-enrollmentMay 02, 2014, 08:30 am
Celebrities, athletes swarm White House for ObamaCare party
By Justin Sink
Celebrities, athletes, healthcare advocates and liberal activists gathered Thursday night at the White House to celebrate the release of final data from the first ObamaCare open enrollment period.
According to data released by the administration, a surge of 3.8 million consumers in the final weeks helped push the total enrollment numbers past 8 million — above initial projections for the law.
The party, which according to Time magazine drew about 300 people, came ahead of the weekend festivities for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and was able to draw Hollywood figures like "Nashville" star Connie Britton and actor and former White House official Kal Penn.
University of North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams, former NFL player Eddie George and University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma also enjoyed the champagne-fueled party.
Celebrities and athletes were a key part of the final push for ObamaCare. According to the White House, celebrity advocates conducted interviews reaching roughly 400 radio stations nationwide in the final month of enrollment.
Celebrity tweets reached nearly 350 million followers, and stars including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Eva Longoria, Zach Galifianakis, Olivia Wilde, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Scott, and Elizabeth Banks created YouTube videos to promote enrollment.
