WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) cosponsored the Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning, and Longevity (ENROLL) Act to restore funding for the Navigator program, which helps American families in their search for the healthcare plan best suited to their needs. The Navigator program funds nonprofit entities and health care organizations to assist consumers in navigating, shopping and enrolling in health insurance coverage. Funding for the Navigator program has been slashed by more than 80 percent since 2017 – cutting its ability to help many Americans most in need. The House companion legislation passed as part of H.R. 987 last month, 234-183.

“The Navigator program is a lifeline for American people trying to figure out the insurance options available to them. By dramatically reducing funding for navigators, we’re putting health coverage a little further out of reach for many Americans – and for the life of me, I don’t know why we would do that,” said Senator King. “The administration’s continued attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act rather than improve it are mind-boggling. It’s well past time for us to stop the political games, and make policy that will help improve the health of the American people.”

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.

Specifically, 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.

Senator King has been a vocal proponent of protecting and improving the Affordable Care Act, which has helped millions of Americans access healthcare. In March, Senator King announced his support for a Senate resolution rejecting the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision to back a Texas Federal Judge’s ruling that deems the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional (Texas v. United States). The DOJ’s decision is the most recent in a slew of attempts from the Administration to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which could result in 133 million Americans losing protections for pre-existing conditions, and millions more losing their health insurance. In December 2018 he joined a group of Senate colleagues to call on President Trump to condemn the resulting decision in the Texas v. United States case. He has also fought the Administration’s various attempts to sabotage the health care law, urged Maine people to sign up for health insurance during the shortened Open Enrollment period, and met with Maine people around the state to discuss the ACA’s importance to their lives. 

Senator King has continually called on Congress to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, lower health care costs, and stabilize the health care marketplace. His roadmap of health care priorities can be found HERE.

The full bill text is available here.