Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce have asked Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "navigators" for information on how they plan to spend $67 million in federal grants, according to a letter obtained by Kaiser Health News.
Last month, HHS awarded the grants to 105 state and federal insurance marketplace navigator organizations. The navigators will perform informational services for Americans who need assistance in shopping for and enrolling in plans this fall. These groups, also known as Champions for Coverage, include businesses and organizations across the nation.
The committee members — led by chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and chairman emeritus Joe Barton (R-Texas) — have sent a letter to grant recipients asking them to brief the committee on their participation in the new health insurance exchanges as navigators by Sept. 13.
Additionally, the committee has asked navigators to provide a written description of the work they will perform using their federal grant, along with a budget or detailed description of how the money will be spent if that documentation is available. The letter also requests a written description of the training or education process for employees, volunteers or representatives, as well as a description of procedures for monitoring, reviewing and supervising those participating in the navigator group.
Furthermore, committee members have asked for descriptions of how groups will use the information they obtain in their role as navigators, including measures taken to safeguard patients' personal information. The lawmakers also want navigators to disclose if any health insurers or healthcare providers have contacted them to discuss the federal grant. Finally, the letter asks for all documentation and communications related to the grant. The committee has asked to receive all of this information and documentation by Sept. 13.
As the launch date for the new exchanges nears, Republican leaders have raised concerns about potential endangerment of personal information through the exchanges. Last month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told
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