The Texas Department of Insurance recently issued regulations for health care “navigators,” the workers who assist people seeking health insurance in the federal marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act. The regulations broadened the definition which allow more organizations beyond those which received federal grants to hire and train navigators. The rules require 20 hours of state-specific training in addition to the federal requirement of 20 to 30 hours of training, background checks, and proof of identity. Navigators are prohibited from charging consumers, selling or negotiating health insurance coverage, recommending a specific health plan, or engaging in activities that support a political candidate. Democrats and other opponents of the regulations claim the regulations delay if not impede the navigators from helping people find insurance by the March 31 deadline.

health insurance, Obamacare, state