Cohen Announces Over $1.2 Million to Help People Take Advantage of the Affordable Care Act
[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that the Memphis-based Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (Seedco) Mid-South has been awarded $1,216,013 in grant funding to help provide in-person assistance to area residents who want additional help in shopping for and enrolling in plans available through the health insurance Marketplaces that will open this fall. This funding comes through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Navigator grant program.
“Seedco’s Navigators will be an important resource to help Memphis consumers understand their coverage options in the Marketplace,” said Congressman Cohen. “There will also be many other resources to assist with enrollment. Community health centers are preparing to help enroll consumers in coverage. In addition, HHS has also begun training other individuals who will be providing in-person assistance, such as agents and brokers and certified application counselors.”
Seedco’s Navigators, in partnership with other local organizations, will be trained to provide unbiased information to consumers about the Health Insurance Marketplaces, qualified health plans, and public programs such as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. They will also be trained on adhering to strict security and privacy standards – including how to safeguard a consumer’s personal information – and will be required to meet these standards. They will be subject to federal criminal penalties for violations of privacy and fraud statutes, on top of any relevant state law penalties.
“These grants build on the progress that has already been made in outreach and education about the new Marketplaces that will open on October 1st,” Congressman Cohen continued. “Consumers can now learn about the Marketplaces through www.HealthCare.gov and a 24-hour consumer call center at 1-800-318-2596. When the Marketplaces open in just 6 weeks, millions of Americans will have better access to affordable health insurance coverage, and Seedco’s Navigators will be there to help Memphians with their questions.”
Seedco is a national organization with its Mid-South office based in Memphis that helps low-income households and communities move toward economic prosperity. Residents interested in learning more about Seedco can visit www.seedco.org/tennesseenavigator or call 901.528.8341.