{mosads}Both developments are victories for unions, churches and other groups hoping to help the uninsured sign up for coverage on ObamaCare’s new insurance marketplaces.
Plaintiffs had argued that the rules violate the First Amendment.
States that oppose the healthcare law have set restrictions on outreach in the name of consumer protection.
Supporters of the rules argue that “navigators” could perpetrate healthcare fraud under the guise of helping people understand the exchanges.
To ward off this possibility, some states now require the outreach workers to pass criminal background checks.
Others, like Tennessee, prohibit them from offering advice and impose penalties for violations.
In his injunction, U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell said the Tennessee rules infringe on the right of free speech.
The case remains active and was assigned to another judge, according to The Tennessean.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance said it would still register and perform background checks on federally approved “navigators” to stop “potential fraud.”