The White House has dismissed a report from the House Oversight Committee that claims the PPACA navigator and assister programs put consumers at risk for fraud and identity theft, according to a report from The Hill.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters the report is another example of Republicans obsessed with "sabotaging Obamacare," according to the report. All navigators undergo extensive training, which includes ensuring they understand privacy issues, Mr. Carney said.
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released its report yesterday, claiming the navigator and assister programs have "lax oversight" that fails to ensure organizations report navigator misconduct. The report also took issue with the fact navigators weren't required to undergo background checks, among other issues.
The navigators and in-person assisters perform informational services for Americans who need assistance in shopping for and enrolling in plans through the reform law's health insurance exchanges. The difference between the two programs is navigator programs must be funded as part of the state exchange operations, although planning and start-up costs can be financed through federal grants. Assister programs can be funded entirely through federal exchange grants for the first year of exchange operations.
For months, the navigator program has been a target of scrutiny and criticism from Republican lawmakers and state officials. Earlier this year, the oversight committee released a similar report, which concluded the navigator and assister programs lacked basic safeguards against fraud and abuse.
More Articles on PPACA Navigators:
House Republicans Ask More Questions About PPACA Navigators
Republican Report Raises PPACA Navigator Identity Theft Concerns
House Oversight Report: PPACA Navigators Put Consumers at Risk