This bill strengthens the health insurance “navigator” program that helps people sign up for coverage on the federal marketplace. It requires grant decisions to focus on an organization’s ability to do the job, ensures at least one community-focused nonprofit gets funded each year, and adds a clear duty to provide simple, plain-language education about plan rules and protections. It also allows navigators to help people year-round, not just during open enrollment, and requires an in-state presence so people can get in-person help .

For the federally run marketplace, the bill sets steady funding of $100 million each year starting in fiscal year 2026, paid from insurer user fees. The changes apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026 .

• Who is affected: People shopping for coverage on the federal marketplace; nonprofits and other groups that serve as navigators; health insurers paying user fees that fund the program .
• What changes: Stronger selection rules for navigator grants; required plain-language outreach; year-round help; at least one grant each year to a community-focused nonprofit; in-person assistance in every state with a federal exchange; dedicated annual funding .
• When: Applies to plan years starting January 1, 2026; funding begins in fiscal year 2026 .