U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the statement below following U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius’ announcement in Tampa today of a major grant to the University of South Florida (USF) as part of the $67 million awarded across the country to “navigators,” who will help consumers and small businesses shop for and enroll in the health insurance marketplace beginning Oct. 1: 

“Our neighbors and small businesses will have trusted, independent guides to help review options in the new health insurance marketplace. I am proud that Secretary Sebelius recognized USF as a national leader in connecting families with community resources to promote economically stable and healthy lives. 

“USF’s $4.2 million award is the largest Affordable Care Act ‘navigator’ grant in the state. USF will apply its expertise in public health and collaborate with local, trusted community organizations to serve as a statewide resource for the six-month enrollment period beginning Oct. 1. Secretary Sebelius today stated this grant process was very competitive but the USF College of Public Health has the track record to ensure success.  In addition, the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners also was awarded a $600,000 navigator grant.

“Our neighbors who currently have health insurance already are benefiting from a package of new rights under the Affordable Care Act, such as elimination of discrimination for preexisting conditions, coverage for children on a parent’s policy until their 26th birthday, major savings in drug costs for seniors in the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole,’ free Medicare coverage of preventive services, free coverage of preventive services in private plans, and saving on premiums due to ACA provisions that prevent insurers from spending more than 20 percent of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead.

“Starting Oct. 1 our neighbors who do not have health insurance will be able to shop for a plan that fits them – and they can call on local, independent experts to review all of the options and tax credits."

Rep. Castor serves on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Health Subcommittee, and as a member helped to craft the Affordable Care Act. She has fought for resources under the Affordable Care Act to come to Florida families and small businesses, and this year has worked closely with community-based organizations to provide education and assistance on the navigator grant process to ensure this community received the maximum in grant funds, which will create jobs for Tampa Bay while assisting our uninsured and under-insured neighbors.

The Navigators 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. 

Tampa Bay grant recipients: 

University of South Florida

Anticipated grant amount: $4,213,696

Florida Covering Kids & Families (FL-CKF) is a community and consumer-focused nonprofit initiative of The Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, based in the College of Public Health, at the University of South Florida (USF), located in Tampa, Florida. FL-CKF, in collaboration with a state-wide consortium of 10 partners, will assist consumers and small employers with the enrollment process and conducting public education activities to raise awareness about the Marketplace.

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

Anticipated grant amount: $600,000

The Board of County Commissioners in Pinellas County, FL will be working to conduct outreach to vulnerable populations in the region. The Board will provide education, information services and work to facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans or other programs primarily to uninsured residents in Pinellas County in a manner that is sensitive to cultural, linguistic, physical, and educational differences. 

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