In the federal 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, Congress and the President recently enacted State Health Access Grants to provide $75 million annually for the next five years for states to improve access to health care. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has been charged with implementation of this grant program and will release guidelines in the future. However, with grants of $2 million to $10 million per year, states will soon have an opportunity to fund activities to:
- Subsidize access for the uninsured;
- Modernize inefficient enrollment systems; and
- Facilitate choice of affordable insurance market products.
States have dominated the health reform landscape with innovative efforts tailored to state-specific goals. Even with the economic downturn, many governors and stakeholders continue to advocate for improving access, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. With funding over the next five years, State Health Access Grants provide an ongoing source of support to implement initiatives and address priorities in your state as national reform unfolds.
Pris Boroniec, Director of Health Care Reform for Sellers Dorsey, has drafted a summary to highlight the key points of the new grants. To view the original summary, released on March 30, 2009, click here. To view the UPDATED summary, including new information regarding the application deadline, released April 28,2009, click here.
The Federal Laws may be found at:
1. HRSA appropriations language -"....and for other health-related activities, and in the amounts, specified under the heading "Health Resources and Services" in the explanatory statement described in section 4 (in the matter preceding division A of this consolidated Act)....
2. HRSA explanatory statement on State Health Access Grants, see pages 62-65. **Note - This is a large file
**UPDATED: APRIL 28, 2009**
A program overview and the application and instructions may be found at:
1. HRSA State Health Access Program Overview
2. State Health Access Program Application and Instructions (includes electronic submission).
For more information, contact Pris Boroniec at 608.203.2685 or pboroniec@sellersdorsey.com.