Last week, the Trump administration nearly eliminated federal funding for the federal “navigator” program that assists people in choosing a health plan. The administration also directed navigators to inform consumers about the existence of insurance policies that don’t comply with ACA standards, which can leave enrollees exposed to high health care costs. The Commonwealth Fund’s Sara Collins explains why the administration’s changes are bad for consumers. Commonwealth Fund surveys have found that getting personal assistance makes a significant difference in whether someone enrolls in a health plan. And navigators have been particularly helpful to low-income consumers and non-English speakers.
