Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) — Magic Johnson, who is living proof of the value of early medical detection with health insurance, is broadcasting that message on behalf of Obamacare.

The basketball legend, a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" and improbable early HIV/AIDS survivor, appears in television commercials that begin airing today as part of a push to get young adults to sign up for coverage. The ad, soon to be followed by one featuring retired Miami Heat player and kidney transplant recipient Alonzo Mourning, will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBAtv, is funded by the federal government.

New data show that 18- to 34-year-olds made up 24 percent of Obamacare enrollees in the first three months, far below the level the White House wants to reach by a March 31 deadline.

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