Salem, Oregon – Oregon U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have expressed their concerns over recent drastic funding cuts to the Affordable Care Act Navigator program in what appears to be a strong bipartisan move. They formally have asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to review and undo the financial cuts. The Navigator program, crucial for assisting Americans in obtaining affordable health coverage, has faced nearly a 90% cut in its budget.
Millions of Americans may be affected by the cuts, especially their access to affordable insurance coverage including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as important medical services. This reduction in funding is seen as a significant setback in the progress made toward expanding healthcare access across the country, especially after similar cuts were made during the Trump administration.
Senators Wyden and Merkley, together with other Senate colleagues, underlined in an extensive letter directed to Secretary Kennedy the importance of the Navigator initiative. They said that for families and individuals—especially those from rural and underprivileged areas— the program is a vital tool that helps them navigate the complexity of health insurance to identify coverage that best fits their circumstances.
The letter also referenced historical data to strengthen their case, noting, “In 2017 and 2018, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) slashed funding for the Navigator program by 84 percent.” Over 2.5 million ACA enrollments dropped in line with this earlier funding cut during the previous administration. But once the money was restored in 2021, enrollment for the 2025 plan year not only recovered but also exceeded previous highs.
Emphasizing the wider consequences of such cuts, the senators strongly urged the government to rethink what they believe to be an unacceptable decision.
“We strongly urge the administration to reconsider this harmful decision and restore full funding to the Navigator program. Cutting these vital resources will only create more barriers for individuals and families seeking coverage, ultimately increasing the number of uninsured Americans,” the senators concluded.
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A number of other senators, including Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and others, backed this call to action, therefore signifying a major effort from several states against the funding cuts.
The full text of the letter, rich in data and passionate appeals, underscores the collective concern of these lawmakers over the potential backslide in health coverage accessibility that these budget cuts could precipitate.
Full text of the letter is here.
