Posted 03:44PM EST, July 22, 2008
HHS gives $49 Million to high-risk individuals without health coverage
Health & Human Services announced awards of more than $49 Million to 30 states for residents whose health status makes it a problem for them to get conventional health coverage.
Categories:
Health and Human Services, CMS
On Monday Health & Human Services (HHS) announced $49.1 Million in grants to 30 states for health insurance for individuals who are unable to get conventional health insurance and are labeled high-risk.
Source: HHS.
“These grants will make it more affordable for states to expand access to health care through high risk pools for the uninsured,” Secretary Leavitt said. “Individuals who benefit from these pools usually have a history of health problems that make it extremely difficult to find affordable health coverage in the individual market.”
To be eligible, a state must have a “qualified” high-risk pool that meets the criteria specified in section 2745 of the Public Health Service Act, and must follow such rules as capping premiums at no higher than 200 percent of the standard charge in the state.
Funds were allocated based on the number of uninsured individuals in each state and the numbers of individuals enrolled in each pool. HHS’ Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the program. This year’s grants are in addition to approximately $286 million that states have received since 2003 to support this program.
The 30 states that received grants are as follows: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Source: HHS.
