Kaptur condemns Trump Administration action that cuts funding to help Ohioans enroll in health care plans
Arbitrary cuts leave many in Ohio without assistance to sign up for health care
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), today released the following statement regarding news that due to funding cuts by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Ohio Association of Food Banks (OAFB) will be forced to exit the Affordable Care Act Navigator program. The program provides assistance to Americans who are looking to enroll in health care plans and the OAFB coalition is made up of local partners across the state. The OAFB is the only statewide Navigator in Ohio and has helped 44,000 Ohioans enroll in health care plans.
Kaptur statement:
"After trying and failing, again and again, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are so determined to fulfill a hollow campaign promise that they will do anything to undermine the progress we have made under the Affordable Care Act.
"These arbitrary cuts to the Navigator program pull the rug out from Ohioans who rely on the Ohio Association of Food Banks coalition for assistance in signing up for health care coverage.
"Since this Administration is turning its back on helping Americans get insurance, it is on us to step up to make sure our neighbors, friends and family have the health coverage they need.
"I will keep fighting for common-sense fixes to the current system and I will work with my colleagues to beat back efforts to play political games with America's health care system and people's lives."
Background:
Read the press release from the Ohio Association of Food Banks (OAFB) here, which details the 71% funding cut from CMS. The cuts by CMS put assistance at risk for many in Ohio and throughout America. The OAFB coalition has provided outreach to individuals and families about how to enroll in health insurance, assisting them with decisions regarding insurance plans and signing them up since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Navigators, who must approach each consumer individually, also offered community outreach and education to help guide citizens through the complexities of health insurance.
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