Hudson plays an Olivia Pope-like character and explains the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a new Funny or Die video called 'Scandalous'.
- Oct 1, 2013
AceShowbiz - Jennifer Hudson portrays Olivia Pope-like character in Funny or Die's parody of Kerry Washington's "Scandal". In a new video called "Scandalous" which arrived online on Monday, September 30, the Oscar-winning actress can be seen wearing a trench white coat as she plays Lydia Cole.
"I prefer 'covert scandal manager,' " Hudson says when a man with an ear piece asks if she is a "fixer." Hudson's character meets many people in various settings such as dark alley and a park to solve their problems. Hudson, however, does not solve serious "scandal" experienced by those people and ends up explaining the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to them.
"What's your issue?" Hudson asks a woman sitting on a bench in the park. "My company's healthcare. It doesn't cover mammograms," the woman explains. Hudson replies, "The ACA covers preventative care for women's health. That's it? Girl, go find you a scandal."
Hudson also meets a father who says that his son is out of college, but he does not have health insurance. She explains that under Obamacare children will be under their parents' plan until 26.
The video is privately funded as an effort to promote the new medical coverage to young people in the U.S. According to Reuters, some representatives for celebrities such as Hudson, Amy Poehler, Oprah Winfrey and Alicia Keys met some government officials in July to talk about the program's promotion.
Mike Farah, president of production at Funny or Die, told The Hollywood Reporters that the company did not charge the federal government for the video because it was something that he and staff members "believe in." Farah added, "This is a law that's been passed that helps out our young audience."
"Anything that brings about change is controversial at the beginning, but it won't be long before people realize it's a good thing. It has already worked in states. That's why Republicans want to stop it so much, because they know it's going to work. ... It's quite transparent why they're trying to stop it. They're not trying to help people, they're trying to stop momentum," he explained further.
