The Trump administration has slashed funding for health care enrollment assistance by more than 80 percent / ENROLL Act to restore funding for the Navigator program and help ensure that Americans have access to the affordable health care coverage they need
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today introduced the Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity (ENROLL) Act to restore funding for the Navigator program that helps American families get the information and support they need to find a quality health care plan at a price they can afford. The House companion legislation passed as part of H.R. 987 last month, 234-183.
Navigators are essential to helping families, especially in rural, underserved communities, enroll in health care coverage that meets their needs. Unfortunately, since 2017 the Trump administration has slashed funding for the Navigator program by more than 80 percent. This is especially harmful to Americans in rural communities who already lack access to in-person assistance for shopping and enrolling in quality, affordable health insurance coverage.
“The current administration is doing everything in their power to keep Americans from accessing comprehensive, affordable health insurance,” said Senator Casey. “Navigators in Pennsylvania serve a critical function by providing unbiased assistance with health insurance enrollment. Often, they specialize in helping underserved or hard to reach populations that others cannot or will not help to enroll. The ENROLL Act will undo the administration’s attempt to undermine the Navigator program, and ensure that Navigators can continue to assist any American who needs help accessing private health insurance, Medicaid or CHIP.”
“The Trump administration has spent the last two years sabotaging our health care system and as a result there are more Americans uninsured today than when President Trump took office. They have slashed funding for Navigator outreach efforts that help millions of Americans, including those in rural communities, sign up for quality health care coverage,” said Senator Baldwin. “Trusted Navigator programs like those in Wisconsin have had their funding cut by more than 80 percent in the past two years, meaning fewer people in Wisconsin have received the support they need to obtain affordable coverage. My legislation with Senator Casey will reverse these cuts to our Navigator programs and ensure that Wisconsinites, regardless of their zip code, can easily enroll in affordable health care coverage.”
More than one million Americans lost insurance coverage last year. As the sabotage of our health care system continues, the ENROLL ACT would take action to support the Navigator program and ensure that hardworking families can find affordable coverage that works for them.
The ENROLL Act would:
- Ensure that Navigators have the resources they need to assist Americans in finding affordable health care coverage and restore funding for the program to $100 million annually;
- Promote efforts to ensure that Navigators provide public education and assistance that helps consumers, including those who may need extra help signing up, find coverage, rather than prioritizing application numbers;
- Clarify that Navigator responsibilities include enrolling consumers in Medicaid and CHIP coverage;
- Promote efforts to provide Americans with information on comprehensive health insurance that protects individuals with pre-existing conditions; and
- Require that states have at least two Navigator programs with a physical presence in the state, including at least one community-based organization.
The ENROLL Act is supported by 64 leading health care organizations and advocacy groups around the country, including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Families USA, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and more.
The ENROLL Act is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The full bill text is available here.
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