The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, represents a significant expansion of the federal government’s relationship with Planned Parenthood. On August 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Planned Parenthood affiliates in Iowa, Montana, and New Hampshire will be funded to serve as Obamacare “Navigators.” The combined funding for these Navigators will total over $655,000.
The designation of these Planned Parenthood affiliates as Navigators in the federally facilitated Exchanges confers upon them the imprimatur of the federal government as an entity that consumers may contact for assistance in applying for coverage.
Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to include Navigators (e.g., Planned Parenthood) in each federally facilitated Exchange on the official government website as a resource to assist consumers. [78 Fed. Reg. 42848].
As Navigators, they will assist Americans in selecting an Exchange health care plan and completing their applications. Additionally, they will assist consumers in determining their eligibility for federal assistance programs, such as Medicaid, or the federal premium subsidies.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in America. Some Americans may now go to a Planned Parenthood center to get help buying health insurance. How ironic is that? Our federal government is directing families to affiliates of America’s largest abortion provider for help buying insurance to cover life-saving treatments.
But Planned Parenthood affiliates will not only serve as ObamaCare “Navigators.” A state that runs its own exchange or works with the federal government can also fund other people to help people with health insurance. For example, on August 23, the Minnesota exchange said that it had chosen the state Planned Parenthood affiliate to get a grant to help people with enrollment.
ObamaCare also has “certified application counselor organizations.” These are groups that help people apply for insurance. You won’t find the term in the law.
The Exchanges will choose certain groups to be certified counselors. These groups can be community health centers, health care providers, or social service agencies. These organizations will train their staff and volunteers to help people apply for health insurance and federal assistance programs. The organizations and counselors are not paid by the Exchanges.
In contrast to Navigators, who are obliged to provide information and services in a fair, accurate, and impartial manner, certified application counselors are required to act in the best interest of the applicants they assist. This is in accordance with the stipulations set forth in 78 Fed. Reg. 42826.
Currently, organizations are engaged in the process of applying for this designation within federally facilitated Exchanges. Those selected for the 34 federally facilitated Exchanges will also be listed on HHS’ official website. Consequently, if Planned Parenthood clinics apply and are selected, this will serve as an additional means by which HHS will promote Planned Parenthood on its official website.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
