Monday, November 04, 2013

No background check for “Navigators”

A navigator is a federal employee who helps those wanting to get insured navigate the paperwork of the new healthcare system.  It is disturbing to go to the CMS page and read about the 100 community groups with volunteer navigators, none with any background checks or the organizations with no way to do it. $67 million in grants announced 6 weeks before roll out. How were they supposed to get this set up in that time frame? In July 2013 the navigator requirements and training were still being reviewed—try searching the Federal Register and word search for "background checks."  Although it was discussed, it was not required.  http://www.gpo.gov/.../pkg/FR-2013-07-17/pdf/2013-17125.pdf

http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Republican-Staff-Report-on-Navigators.pdf

And although I haven’t made it through to the sign up screen on Healthcare.gov, for the lowest level of insurance, I have heard/seen the Navigator will also help the applicant register to vote, but not at the higher levels. I’ve looked for comment on this by Democrat state or federal elected politicians, but couldn’t find any.  Only Republicans seem to know about identity theft and the security of personal information. http://imwithmary.com/navigators.html

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