GOP's Scalise to NFL, NBA: Don't Promote Obamacare 'Train Wreck'

Rep. Steve Scalise has written to the heads of the National Football League and the National Basketball Association urging them not to allow paid advertising promoting Obamacare.

The letter from the Louisiana Republican follows the announcement Monday by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that she is negotiating with sports affiliates about advertising to encourage enrollment in the president's signature healthcare program, The Hill reported.

Scalise, who heads the Republican Study Committee, said in his letter that sports teams should not endorse the healthcare law because it could raise premiums on some patients and discourage hiring.

"I am writing ... to alert you to the impact of this law on your fan base," Scalise wrote. "I contend that the effects of this train wreck will have a devastating impact on your fans and business partners across the country."

He added, "I would caution you against being coerced into doing [the Obama administration's] dirty work for them."

Sebelius has also been under fire this week by a group of GOP senators who say she acted unethically in her efforts to raise funds for Enroll America, a nonprofit group aiming to enroll people in health insurance under the new law.