WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a statement on the Trump administration eliminating waste from the Democrats’ Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigators Program following new data highlighting the program’s ineffectiveness and its steep cost to Americans. This action will save the American people $360 million.
The Navigators Program was created by ACA to increase Americans’ enrollment in exchange health plans. The program is funded by ACA user fees, which are largely paid for by Americans’ health insurance premiums.
According to data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Biden-Harris administration funneled $98 million into the Navigators Program last year, despite the program only accounting for 0.6 percent of ACA enrollments through the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs). The Trump administration’s efforts will dramatically reduce waste in the Navigator program, saving Americans $360 million.
Additionally, since the cost of the Navigators Program directly affects what patients pay for their ACA premiums, these savings will decrease the cost of Americans’ health coverage in the individual market and ultimately save taxpayer dollars going to ACA subsidies.
In December, Cassidy requested the Government Accountability Office investigate the value and effectiveness of the Navigators Program.
“The Navigators Program has not proven to be effective. Yet, Democrats funneled $98 million into this scheme last year with zero accountability. This is exactly the kind of waste we need to get rid of in Washington,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I applaud the Trump administration’s action and will continue our oversight efforts into the Navigators Program to ensure Americans’ hard-earned dollars are used effectively.”
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