FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 14, 2025

Contact:
Jack Cardinal, jcardinal@communitycatalyst.org

“Slashing Navigator funding by 90% is nothing short of sabotage. CMS must reverse this decision and restore critical funding before millions lose access to coverage.”

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a shocking 90% cut to the Navigator program, slashing resources for the trusted, community-based, unbiased experts who help people enroll in affordable health coverage. This move will create unnecessary barriers to care, particularly for communities facing systemic inequities in health care access. For those eligible for insurance, the enrollment process can be daunting, confusing and time-consuming.

Statement by Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy & Strategy, Community Catalyst:

“Slashing Navigator funding by 90% is nothing short of sabotage. It will leave countless families stranded in a complex system, forcing them to go without trusted, unbiased help. This decision is a gift to financially motivated insurance brokers at the expense of providing people with unbiased, clear information about health insurance.

“Navigators and Certified Application Assisters are a lifeline for millions—especially in rural communities, among immigrants, older adults, people with disabilities, and for those navigating health insurance coverage options between Medicaid, Medicare or a Marketplace plan. We know that this process can be confusing and overwhelming.

“Many people may no longer enroll in health insurance without the trusted knowledge and support that Navigators provide, and this will increase medical debt in our communities. Without Navigators, people will be left to rely on brokers with financial incentives who may push them into unnecessarily costly or inadequate plans, increasing the risk of fraud and misinformation. They may no longer even know that they are eligible for programs like Medicaid.

“At a time when families are already struggling to stay afloat, gutting this program will cause real harm. And that is the intent. For years, Community Catalyst and our partners have fought to expand Navigator funding because health care should be about people, not profits. CMS must reverse this decision and restore critical funding before millions lose access to coverage.”

Partner Spotlight: African Communities Together

Mr. A is a 25-year-old African immigrant living in Virginia who works as a waiter and makes minimum wage. Mr. A wanted to sign up for health insurance, but worried about whether he could afford it. When a friend told Mr. A about the enrollment assistance offered by African Communities Together, a Community Catalyst partner, he called to seek help. Mr. A was relieved to speak with another African who understood the dynamics of being an immigrant and applying for Medicaid. Even though he is a green card holder, Mr. A was concerned about answering some of the questions on the enrollment portal regarding his social security number. Mr. A appreciated having someone walk him through the process, explain why his social security number was requested, and how it would be used. Without African Communities Together, Mr. A may not have obtained health insurance.

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