HHS Announces Record Investment in Navigators to Connect Underserved People to Insurance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released five new reports documenting historic progress in health care and the expansion of coverage in underrepresented communities since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The expansion of coverage is due in large part to the ongoing efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration to expand access to affordable, quality health care, especially in underserved areas, and highlights the importance of the Inflation Control Act’s tax benefits that lower health care costs and make Marketplace plans more affordable. HHS also announced a new historic $500 million investment in Navigators, who play a critical role in helping people across the country enroll in health care, especially in historically neglected and underserved areas.
Secretary Becerra’s audio is available in English and Spanish. here.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring everyone has access to health care, regardless of the color of their skin,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Today’s data shows how far we’ve come in reaching Black, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native people who are disproportionately uninsured. By announcing further historic investments in the Navigator, Health and Human Services is redoubling our efforts to help us continue to achieve record enrollment rates in underserved communities.”
“President Biden firmly believes that health care is a right, not a privilege, and he is committed to ensuring that we all have the peace of mind that health insurance provides,” said White House domestic policy adviser Neera Tanden. “These reports show that by making health insurance more affordable, more accessible and easier to enroll in, millions of Americans who live in underserved communities have been able to get the care they need.”
“Behind the historic health equity advances being driven by the Biden-Harris Administration are the countless communities we are connecting to health insurance, many for the first time,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks LaSure. “By asking the right questions, combined with unprecedented investments in Marketplace outreach, we will better understand the communities we serve and make insurance more affordable than ever for our neighbors, friends and loved ones.”
New Data on Expanding Insurance Coverage in Minority Communities
Four new reports from the HHS Office of the Under Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) provide detailed data on health insurance expansion in minority communities from 2010 to 2022. Based on available census data, the uninsured rates for the following population groups decreased as follows from 2010 to 2022:
HHS today also released an ASPE issue brief titled, “Improving Access to Affordable and Equitable Health Insurance: A Review 2010-2024,” outlining steps the Biden-Harris Administration has taken to help more people get and keep their insurance after the previous Administration’s attempts to cut funding and enforcement.
New funding for navigators
The Biden-Harris Administration continues its strong investment in Navigators, who help people across the country, especially in underserved communities, enroll in health insurance, announcing today that it will provide $500 million in grant funding over the next five years. Navigators have been incredibly effective, helping to see a record 21.4 million people enroll in health insurance through the Marketplaces during the 2024 open enrollment period.
The effectiveness of the Navigator is demonstrated by how many people from underserved communities signed up for Marketplace services in 2024.
- 22% of admitted students who declared their race/ethnicity are Latino. If the same percentage was present among those who did not declare their race/ethnicity, the estimate would be Latino Marketplace coverage in 2024 is approximately 5 million.
- 9% of admitted students who declared their race/ethnicity were black. If the same percentage was undeclared, it would be estimated that Black Americans In 2024, the marketplace will cover approximately Two million.
- About 12% of participants who reported their race/ethnicity were AANHPI. If the same percentage did not report, the estimated number would be AANHPI American Marketplace coverage ends in 2024 2.5 million.
- 1% of registrants who declared their race/ethnicity are AI/AN. If the same percentage did not declare it, the estimated number would be AI/AN Americans Marketplace coverage in 2024 200 000.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will award a total of $500 million over five 12-month budget periods over a five-year performance period, with $100 million set aside for the first 12-month budget period to be awarded this fall, marking the largest investment to date in the Navigator program.
Previous awards received by Navigator include:
- 2024: $100 million (projected)
- 2023: $98.6 million
- 2022: $98.9 million
- 2021: $90.2 million
- 2020: $10 million
- 2019: $10 million
- 2018: $10 million
- 2017: $36.8 million
- 2016: $63 million
