States scrutinize insurance enrollment workers

Republican lawmakers in several states continue to push for tighter oversight of workers who help people apply for health care insurance under the Affordable Care Act, even though there’s no sign yet that enrollment assistants have misused consumers’ personal information.

More than a dozen GOP-controlled states have passed legislation requiring licensing or background checks for people helping consumers buy health insurance on the federal marketplace, and similar bills are pending in other states. Proponents say the requirements will help protect consumers from identity theft.

Government officials have acknowledged that enrollment workers in some states, including California, Nevada and Delaware, have criminal records, but a criminal background typically does not automatically disqualify someone from helping people enroll for health insurance. State officials have instead reviewed those applicants on a case-by-case basis.