WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) today denounced the Trump Administration's callous and short-sighted drastic reduction of funding for independent health care Navigators who help our neighbors select affordable health care options every day. The University of South Florida’s (USF) Florida Covering Kids and Families initiative, one of the largest recipients of annual Navigator awards nationwide since 2013, will lose millions of dollars to help Floridians lower their own cost of living.

“Over 4.7 million Floridians chose an affordable marketplace plan for 2025—almost one-fifth of the nation’s 24.1 million enrollees. Florida families would not have led the nation in health insurance marketplace enrollment year after year without strong federal support for outreach and assistance. In gutting Navigators, the Trump Administration is actively undermining the year-round work that USF and its partners do to connect Floridians with lifesaving health coverage.

“The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans continue their relentless assault on affordable health care for families across America—especially in Florida, which consistently leads the nation in enrollment through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. Navigators statewide, spearheaded by the USF College of Public Health, have played a critical role in helping families and small business owners access quality, affordable health coverage. These trusted, independent guides have provided essential support to our neighbors since 2013, ensuring they can choose their health coverage options with confidence. Despite their success, President Trump is determined to slash vital investments in public health and our community in order to fund massive tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected.  It’s a real betrayal of the middle class.

“Access to affordable, high-quality health care keeps families healthy and well – and out of debt. Affordable coverage is especially critical in Florida, where Governor DeSantis has cruelly and inappropriately stripped hundreds of thousands of Florida children of their health care coverage during the Medicaid unwinding and continues his unlawful removal of children from KidCare. DeSantis and Republicans also have refused to expand Medicaid for working families, and Florida is one of the last remaining states to leave its citizens in the lurch by failing to expand Medicaid.

“This latest move is just another chapter in Trump and the GOP’s ongoing sabotage of the ACA. President Trump tried to repeal the ACA in his first term, and it’s clear from his first few weeks in office that he still wants to make affordable health care harder to come by. These drastic cuts will drive up premiums and put hardworking families at risk. The consequences won’t just be felt on paper—this is a direct attack on the health, well-being, and pocketbooks of communities across the Tampa Bay area.

Despite these challenges, Floridians and other Americans have continued to enroll in health insurance under the ACA at significant rates, with record numbers in Florida. Between 2014 and 2024, ACA Marketplace enrollments in Florida more than quadrupled from 984,000 to 4,700,000. Since the enactment of the ACA in 2013, Florida’s uninsured rate has dropped from over 20% to 10.7%.

U.S. Rep. Castor is a member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee and was instrumental in drafting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to benefit families and businesses. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently supported Florida families against efforts by the Trump Administration and GOP to limit access to affordable, quality health care. A diverse coalition of families, doctors, hospitals, and small businesses has united with U.S. Rep. Castor in the fight for affordable and quality health care coverage.