HHS has criticized the Florida Department of Health for reportedly barring Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act navigators — trained professionals who will help consumers learn about and apply for coverage through the health insurance exchanges — from county health departments, according to a Tampa Bay Times report.
The department's act is "another blatant and shameful attempt to intimidate groups who will be working to inform Americans about their new health insurance options and help them enroll in coverage," HHS spokesman Fabien Levy said in a statement issued to the Times. Mr. Levy also said the federal agency is confident navigators will still be able to help Florida residents purchase health plans through the exchanges despite the county health department prohibition.
Deputy Florida DOH Secretary C. Meade Grigg sent the order out Monday to 60 health departments, according to a Health News Florida report. He specified health department staff members may accept informational materials from the navigators to hand out to consumers if requested.
Last month, Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the state's CFO Jeff Atwater all expressed doubts about whether the navigators will get adequate background checks and training. Organizations that will serve as navigators in Florida have dismissed these concerns, saying there's no danger of navigators stealing consumers' identities.
Florida officials aren't the only ones scrutinizing the navigator program. Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce have asked the navigators for information on how they plan to spend $67 million in federal grants. The committee members asked the organizations to brief the lawmakers on their plans as well as provide various documents by Sept. 13, such as a written description of the work they will perform using their federal grant. Navigator groups have responded to the requests with offense and have said the committee's demands could hurt hiring and training efforts.
More Articles on PPACA Navigators:
Florida Officials Express Concern About PPACA Navigators
Republicans Request PPACA Navigator Grant Information
Navigators: GOP Requests Could Hurt Hiring, Training Efforts