Biden-Harris Administration Make Largest Investment Ever in Navigators for 2023 Open Enrollment Period
Making history as the single largest Navigator organization funding award provided to date, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), invested $98.9 million in grant funding (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html) to 59 Navigator organizations in August 2022 to help consumers navigate enrollment (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html) and make health coverage more accessible (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html).
The funds will help Navigator organizations retain and add staff to aid consumers (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html) in finding affordable, comprehensive health coverage (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html) in participating HealthCare.gov states and counties during the 2023 open enrollment period. The funding is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to increase healthcare coverage enrollment (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html).
“This is a historic investment to connect people to high-quality, affordable health care,” Xavier Becerra, HHS secretary, said (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html). “Last year, our investments helped result in the lowest uninsured rate in our nation’s history. This year, we’re doubling down on our efforts to ensure people get the insurance they need. Navigators critically help us reach people where they are, educating them on their health insurance options that can be lifesaving.”
“Reaching people where they are is a key part of our strategy to connect people to health coverage. Navigators were incredibly effective during the last open enrollment period when a historic number of people signed up and now we are doubling down on investing in community Navigators who can help people find the coverage they need,” Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, CMS administrator, said (https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2022/08/26/biden-harris-administration-makes-largest-investment-ever-in-navigators-ahead-of-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-period.html). “For those changing coverage or who struggle to afford health insurance, there are a variety of options to help. The Health Insurance Marketplace and state-based marketplaces can offer no-cost or low-cost coverage to millions of people.”
Advocating for policies and funding that ease insurance accessibility helps ensure that patients with cancer receive the treatment they need (https://www.ons.org/make-difference/ons-center-advocacy-and-health-policy/position-statements/access-quality-cancer).