Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a new funding opportunity for grants to help states continue their work to implement a key provision of the Affordable Care Act – Health Insurance Exchanges.
The Exchange establishment grants recognize that states are making progress toward establishing Exchanges but doing so at different paces. States that are moving ahead on a faster pace can apply for multi-year funding. States that are making progress in establishing their Exchange through a step-by-step approach can apply for funding for each project year. Moving forward, states will have multiple opportunities to apply for funding as they progress through Exchange establishment. This process gives states maximum flexibility and ensures that states can move forward on their own timetables as they work to build an Exchange.
States can use the Exchange establishment grants for a number of different activities including conducting background research, consulting with stakeholders, making legislative and regulatory changes, governing the exchange, establishing information technology systems, conducting financial management and performing oversight and ensuring program integrity.
The Exchange establishment funding announcement can be found at www.Grants.gov by searching for CFDA number 93.525. More information can be found at http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/exchestannc.html.
