Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces - Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center (SWLAHEC) is applying for the Cooperative Agreement to “Support Navigators in Federally Facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces” on behalf of a consortium formed by two of the Louisiana Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) which are both community and consumer focused nonprofit organizations. This consortium is called the Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana (NHL) Program. NHL is requesting $2,500,000.00 in funding to provide Navigator services for the entire state of Louisiana. NHL will be a statewide proposal to provide Navigator enrollment services for all 64 parishes (counties) focusing on disadvantaged and underserved populations defined priority population in Louisiana but will provide services to any resident who requires Marketplace enrollment assistance and information. SWLAHEC will subcontract with Central Louisiana AHEC and employ 29 FTE Navigators to facilitate Marketplace enrollment assistance and coverage for all 64 Louisiana parishes (counties). The NHL statewide funding effort will provide CMS Certified Navigator assistance services for: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, La Salle, Lafayette, Lafourche, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John The Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermilion, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn parishes. NHL Navigators will provide targeted Marketplace enrollment assistance in each of their designated parish regions for prioritized populations that historically have been disenfranchised and disproportionately impacted by significant health disparities with particular focus on those without access to health insurance coverage. For all 64 Louisiana parishes served through the NHL funding proposal, NHL resources, outreach and enrollment services will be intentionally directed to the disabled, those with limited English proficiency, African-American communities, Asian communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, rural communities, low income households, all racial and ethnic minorities, unhoused individuals, pregnant women, new mothers, women with children, small business owners, self-employed and unemployed individuals, people with mental health or substance related disorders, and Medicaid eligible consumers who are not enrolled in coverage despite being eligible for Medicaid. NHL Navigators will provide information and services that assists consumers with submitting the eligibility application, explaining health coverage options, understanding advanced premium tax credits, and C2C (Coverage to Care) resources to help consumers make informed decisions to improve their overall health and well-being for themselves and their families. By drawing on the over 10 years of Navigator facilitated funding experience and the collaborative relationships of hundreds of statewide, regional, and local NHL direct referral partners, clients, patients, and community members from prioritized populations will be connected to Navigators services for Marketplace exchange health insurance coverage leading to overcoming health disparities and equity barriers thus decreasing Louisiana’s uninsured rate and moving toward the NHL goal of 100% of Louisiana residents obtaining and accessing health insurance coverage significantly impacting health outcomes and improving the state’s culture of health.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).