Grand Canyon Times

Maria Losoya is a pivotal figure in southern Arizona's border communities, known for her ability to navigate the health insurance marketplace. Her role as a navigator, established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is crucial in helping residents of Santa Cruz County access medical care. This county has one of the highest uninsured rates in Arizona, with nearly one-third of its population lacking coverage in 2022.

Losoya assists community members who face barriers such as language difficulties and misinformation about coverage. "A lot of people were dying," she said, emphasizing the critical nature of her work.

Navigators like Losoya are integral across Arizona, targeting underserved groups including Native Americans without internet access and immigrants who do not speak English. Since navigators began their work in 2013, the uninsured rate in Arizona has dropped significantly.

Despite their importance, funding for navigators has fluctuated with changes in presidential administrations. Currently, navigators are supported by a five-year $500 million investment from the Biden-Harris administration. However, Kaye Pestaina from KFF warns that this funding could be jeopardized if Donald Trump wins the upcoming presidential election.

During Trump's previous term, navigator funding was cut by nearly 85%, impacting organizations like Asian Pacific Community in Action (APCA) which had to reduce their team size significantly due to budget constraints. APCA's current staff helps Asian American and Pacific Islander Arizonans navigate health insurance options.

The ACA remains a contentious issue between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris as Election Day approaches. While Harris supports strengthening the ACA, Trump criticizes it but has made inconsistent statements about its future under his potential presidency.

For many navigators, any repeal or weakening of the ACA would drastically affect their roles and impact on communities they serve. Despite uncertainties about future funding or job titles post-election, individuals like Liza Merrill remain committed to their mission: "You do it because it’s the right thing to do."

"They trust me because I speak their language," said Natalie Huynh from APCA.