The White House released a memo for all Americans on Thursday. They want us to be sure to defend Obamacare from any disparaging family members.

Sarah Ferris of The Hill:

White House: Have you talked to your family about ObamaCare lately? The Obama administration wants you to bring a side of healthcare politics to your family picnic this weekend. After ObamaCare’s big win at the Supreme Court last week, federal health officials are serving up some tips about talking to family members who may be less-than-enthused that ObamaCare is here to stay. “You should be prepared when Aunt Janine says something like, ‘Obamacare hasn’t helped anyone!’” a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services wrote in a blog post on Thursday. For instance, if your Uncle Ted starts calling Obamacare a train wreck, you should calmly explain that he’s “gotten ahold of some old talking points,” the spokesman recommends.

Then, he suggests that you recite a three-paragraph response citing 14 figures ranging from healthcare inflation to the growth in full-time versus part-time employment. “With greater access to affordable, quality health insurance, the Affordable Care Act is helping individuals and strengthening our economy!” the sample script goes. “Now would you like more corn?”

This might seem like a joke, but it’s all too real.

There is even a script provided on the HHS website (no teleprompter included):

Tips for Talking to Your Family about the Affordable Care Act this Fourth of July Situation: Your brother has a great idea for a start-up, but he’s afraid to lose benefits when he leaves his current job. You say: The Affordable Care Act can help! (Note: The exclamation point denotes enthusiasm about the ACA, not an instruction to scream at your family.) Today, all Americans can go online to a Health Insurance Marketplace and shop for quality health coverage. If you decide to start your own business, change jobs or you get laid off, that doesn’t mean you have to lose health coverage. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, many people qualify for tax credits to help pay for their coverage, no matter which state they live in – a benefit solidified by last week’s Supreme Court decision. For 2015 coverage, about 80 percent of Marketplace shoppers on Healthcare.gov had the option of buying coverage for $100 or less per month after tax credits. Affordable health insurance is within reach for more people than in any time in recent history. Situation: Before reaching for another burger, your uncle mentions he’s been meaning to get a blood pressure screening he’s been putting off. You say: Thanks to the ACA, most health plans must now cover recommended preventive services like annual checkups, flu shots and screenings at no out-of-pocket cost.

Writing at Michelle Malkin’s blog, Doug Powers offers a thought about this:

One of the first afflictions the proponents of Obamacare hope to eradicate is situational awareness. Any efforts to make relatives believe that the Declaration of Independence begins “we hold these mandates to be self-evident” will be made more difficult when “Aunt Janine” and “Uncle Ted” launch bottle rockets at their family’s rogue member of the Pajama Boy Army until he goes away.

He also points out this helpful video:

Have a great July 4th!



