The Obama administration has recently announced that it is releasing $67 million of its federal funds meant for several individuals and communities such as Planned Parenthood to enable it to navigate ObamaCare.
The recent development was publicized on Thursday by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius. According to Sebelius, the grant money, which is rumored to be $13 million higher than the originally allocated amount, will go directly to what they call as ‘navigators’ in order to help people fully understand their coverage options. It will also enable them to have a ‘coverage plan shopping spree’ based on the president’s new law on health care.
The money will be given to 105 grant awardees coming from all the 34 states which shall have federally supported market places allowing Americans to buy insurance beginning Oct. 1.
The remaining 16 states will eventually have their own version of exchanges and programs for outreach.
The Hill reports that there will be more millions that will be released from the prevention programs stated under the health care law.
Sebelius also added that the navigators will have to be trained and should be able to present unbiased data on coverage choices in a way that is culturally competent.
While the navigators are not actually seeking applicants, some have been criticizing the program to be threatened with unscrupulous navigators that would illegally steal Americans’ identity details.
The HHS responded on Thursday by saying that their office will see to it that the navigators are fully trained and legally authorized to do their work. If they are found to have faltered with their duties, they need to face federal criminal punishments for their violation of privacy and committing fraud statutes.
Other groups and individuals that are getting the money are University of South Florida, United Way of Anchorage, and AIDS Alabama Inc.
