U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced today that the University of South Florida received the largest “navigator” grant in the nation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist families and consumers shop and enroll in the health insurance marketplace.

USF was awarded $5,386,925; Epilepsy Foundation was awarded $871,275 and the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners was awarded $535,156 for a total of $6.8 million awarded to Florida, the second highest in the nation, following Texas. The grants are part of $60 million awarded by HHS to navigators across the country assist with upcoming open enrollment period, Nov. 14, 2014-Feb. 15, 2015.

“Florida led the nation in the number of people who signed up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, thanks in large part to the trusted, independent guides who helped families sort through their options in the health care insurance marketplace,” U.S. Rep. Castor said, referring to the 1 million Floridians who enrolled in the marketplace last cycle.

“USF and their partners were very successful in assisting consumers during the last enrollment period and they will lead the way again. The $5.4 million competitive grant this year exceeds the $4.2 million it received last year. I am proud of the recognition USF and all of Tampa Bay’s partners have received. They helped many of our families access quality, affordable health care coverage and improve their economic security.” 

“We have a lot work ahead of us and I am happy that we have the opportunity to continue and expand the work we have done in Florida to connect individuals to health care coverage,” said Jodi Ray, project director for USF’s Florida Covering Kids & Families. “The USF Consortium will be statewide this year and will utilize the strong network of collaborative partners to get the word out that the health insurance marketplace is available and that navigators are in communities across Florida to provide assistance.”

More facts about the 2013/2014 ACA enrollment in Florida and Tampa Bay:

-In Florida, there was an increase of 223,056 in Medicaid/CHIP enrollment.

-In Congressional District 14 (Tampa Bay), 40,100 individuals purchased a health care plan through the new insurance marketplace. This is above average compared to all of Florida’s congressional districts.

-In Congressional District 14 (Tampa Bay), 24,100 individuals were previously uninsured but now have health coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. This is above average compared to all of Florida’s congressional districts. Overall, the number of uninsured residents in Congressional District 14 (Tampa Bay) declined by 15 percent.