Carper, Coons, Blunt Rochester Announce $1.5 million to Westside to Help Connect Underserved Delawareans to Affordable Health Insurance

Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons along with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.) announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded Westside Family Healthcare, one of Delaware’s Federally Qualified Health Centers, a $1.5 million grant award to support their health insurance navigator program.

Navigators offer free assistance to people exploring health coverage options through ChooseHealthDE.com, from reviewing available plans to assisting with eligibility and enrollment forms, and post-enrollment services such as using their coverage to get care. Navigators can also assist people in helping enroll in or renew Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. Nationally, during last year’s marketplace open enrollment period, a historic 21.4 million people selected health care plans through HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces like Delaware’s ChooseHealthDE.com, including with the help of navigators.

“After the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Westside Family Healthcare’s health insurance navigators were a strong partner in enrolling Delawareans in affordable health insurance and helping families in every community, regardless of income, and I’m proud that this important work continues today,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, who helped author the Affordable Care Act. “Navigators help find the best plans for Delawareans and their families, at no cost to them. As we approach the marketplace open enrollment period later this year, I am proud we are able to invest in these programs that will help our most vulnerable Delawareans.”

“Westside Family Healthcare’s Support Navigators work tirelessly to connect Delawareans to affordable health insurance options to make sure everyone can access the critical health care services they need,” said Senator Coons. “Insurance enrollment can be daunting for anyone, but federally funded navigator programs help meet people where they are – because everyone is entitled to health care, regardless of your language, internet connection, or transportation access. I’m so proud to see the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services supporting these efforts in Delaware.”

“Our federally qualified health care centers, such as Westside Family Healthcare, help Delawareans get the health care services they need at a low cost,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, member of the House Health Subcommittee. “Last year, a record number of Delawareans signed up for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, in part due to the important work of navigators. I am proud to have helped secure this federal funding alongside Senators Carper and Coons for Westside’s Navigator program, which will enable them to continue providing free assistance to Delawareans seeking to enroll in health care coverage, especially those in under-resourced communities. As we approach open enrollment season, this infuse of funding from the Biden-Harris Administration could not be more important as we continue our work to ensure every Delawarean has affordable, quality health care.”  

“As Delaware’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, Westside Family Healthcare is acutely aware of the challenges that prevent thousands of Delaware families from accessing essential, preventive care. One of the most significant obstacles is obtaining affordable health insurance. That’s why Westside has been committed to helping our neighbors enroll in health insurance coverage since the Health Insurance Marketplace opened in 2013,” shared Chris Fraser, President & CEO of Westside Family Healthcare. “For 11 years, Westside’s team has remained certified to assist with enrollment, thanks to the ongoing support from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We are grateful to CMS for recognizing our work once again and investing in grassroots outreach efforts that allow us to educate and enroll Delaware families in coverage. We are also grateful for our Members of Congress who have championed the Affordable Care Act since the very beginning. We are eager to continue serving Delawareans in this vital role.”