Sebelius: ‘Possible’ for felon to become an ObamaCare navigator

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told a congressional panel on Wednesday that it was “possible” for an ObamaCare navigator to have been convicted of a felony.

{mosads}Speaking at Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked if federal background checks were a prerequisite for the hiring of the individuals tasked with walking people through ObamaCare enrollment.

“The president is in Dallas, Texas today touting the navigator program, which as you know are people who are hired to navigate the [Affordable Care Act], but I would just like to ask you this question,” Cornyn said to Sebelius. “Isn’t it true that there is no federal requirement for a navigator to undergo a criminal background check, even though they will receive sensitive personal information for people they help sign up for the Affordable Care Act?”

“That is true,” Sebelius responded. “States can add an additional background check and other features, but that is not part of the federal requirement.”

“So a convicted felon could be a navigator and could acquire sensitive personal information?” Cornyn asked.

“That is possible,” Sebelius said. “We have contracts with the organizations, and they have taken the responsibility to screen their navigators and make sure that they are sufficiently trained for the job, and there’s a self attestation, but it is possible.”