S2024-119

2. Providing for additional requirements with respect to the navigator program Section 1311(i) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18031(i)) is amended— in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: In the case of an Exchange established and operated by the Secretary within a State pursuant to section 1321(c), in awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Exchange shall— select entities to receive such grants based on an entity’s demonstrated capacity to carry out each of the duties specified in paragraph (3); not take into account whether or not the entity has demonstrated how the entity will provide information to individuals relating to group health plans that are not qualified health plans; and ensure that, each year, the Exchange awards such a grant to at least 1 entity described in this paragraph that is a community and consumer-focused nonprofit group. in paragraph (3)— in subparagraph (C), by inserting after qualified health plans the following: , State Medicaid plans under title XIX of the Social Security Act, and State children’s health insurance programs under title XXI of such Act; in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and inserting ; and; by adding at the end the following: conduct public education activities in plain language to raise awareness of the requirements of and the protections provided under qualified health plans. by adding at the end the following flush left sentence: in paragraph (4)(A)— in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking not; in clause (i)— by inserting not before be; and by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; in clause (ii)— by inserting not before receive; and by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and by adding at the end the following new clause: maintain physical presence in the State of the Exchange so as to allow in-person assistance to consumers. in paragraph (6)— by striking Funding.—Grants under and inserting Funding.— Grants under by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: For purposes of carrying out this subsection, with respect to an Exchange established and operated by the Secretary within a State pursuant to section 1321(c), the Secretary shall obligate $100,000,000 out of amounts collected through the user fees on participating health insurance issuers pursuant to section 156.50 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations) for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such amount for a fiscal year shall remain available until expended. The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. (C)Selection of recipientsIn the case of an Exchange established and operated by the Secretary within a State pursuant to section 1321(c), in awarding grants under paragraph (1), the Exchange shall—(i)select entities to receive such grants based on an entity’s demonstrated capacity to carry out each of the duties specified in paragraph (3);(ii)not take into account whether or not the entity has demonstrated how the entity will provide information to individuals relating to group health plans that are not qualified health plans; and(iii)ensure that, each year, the Exchange awards such a grant to at least 1 entity described in this paragraph that is a community and consumer-focused nonprofit group.; (F)conduct public education activities in plain language to raise awareness of the requirements of and the protections provided under qualified health plans.; and (iii)maintain physical presence in the State of the Exchange so as to allow in-person assistance to consumers.; and Funding.—(A)State ExchangesGrants under; and (B)Federal ExchangesFor purposes of carrying out this subsection, with respect to an Exchange established and operated by the Secretary within a State pursuant to section 1321(c), the Secretary shall obligate $100,000,000 out of amounts collected through the user fees on participating health insurance issuers pursuant to section 156.50 of title 45, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations) for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent fiscal year. Such amount for a fiscal year shall remain available until expended..