State Planning Grant-Health Care Access for the Uninsured (93.256)

 

Program

93.256 State Planning Grant-Health Care Access for the Uninsured

 

Federal Agency

HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Public Law 106-554.

 

Program Number

93.256

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To support States in the development of plans to provide access to health insurance coverage for all citizens.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

(1) The State Planning Grant Program provides 1-year grants to States to develop plans for providing access to affordable health insurance coverage to all citizens. Each State will design an approach that would ensure every citizen in that State has access to affordable health insurance benefits similar in scope to the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan, Medicaid, benefits offered to State employees, or other similar health plans. At the conclusion of the grant, each State will submit a report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that identifies the characteristics of the uninsured within its State and proposals for providing them with affordable health insurance coverage. Together, these reports will provide additional data about the characteristics of the uninsured generally and potential models for other States seeking to provide comprehensive coverage. (2) Funding provided through this program may not be used to substitute for or duplicate funds currently supporting similar activities. In addition, grant funds may not be used to support construction, renovation, or modernization costs. Grant funds may support costs such as: a) Project staff salaries; b) consultants; c) project-related travel; d) project evaluation; e) limited equipment and software purchases or leases; and f) coordinating and conducting project-related meetings.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Governor of each State or Territory that has not previously received a State planning grant is invited to apply. The Governor can designate an individual or agency authorized to prepare the State's application on behalf of the State. Only a State entity can be the official recipient of a grant. Only one application per State is permitted.

Beneficiary Eligibility

This grant funding will assist States to develop models for providing access to health insurance coverage for all citizens of the State. States with a low level of uninsured or the ability to significantly decrease a relatively high level of uninsured will be given funding priority and/or preference.

Credentials/Documentation

None.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Not applicable. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Application kits (i.e., application instructions, necessary forms, and application review criteria) and additional guidance are available through the HRSA Grants Application Center (GAC). To receive a complete application kit, contact the GAC at 1-877-HRSA-123. Information will also be available at: www.hrsa.gov under "State Planning Grants Program." No new competitive grant applications are anticipated in FY 2003.

Award Procedure

Each of the applications will undergo an eligibility and conformance review by Federal staff at the State Planning Grants Program Office. Applications that have passed the eligibility and conformance review will be assigned to members of an Objective Review Committee (ORC) that will review them based on the evaluation criteria listed in the application guidance. The results of the ORC reviews will be shared with the HRSA Administrator and Secretary of HHS, who will make the final decisions.

Deadlines

Applications for fiscal year 2003 are due in April 4, 2003.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds are available to grantees on an as needed basis throughout the budget period and payments are made through the DHHS Payment Management System.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Reports are to be provided as outlined in the grant conditions.

Audits

None.

Records

None.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2001, 11 existing State grantees conducting studies of uninsured and developing plans for expanded insurance coverage, 9 new grantees funded to study the uninsured and develop plans for expanded insurance coverage Multi-State Data Base project funded for state grantee analysis of data collected. In fiscal year 2002, 11 State grantees produce reports on their uninsured and proposals to provide insurance, 9 State grantees produce interim reports on their progress in studying the uninsured Synthesis Reports on activities and recommendations of 20 state grantees produced New grant solicitation conducted to fund up to 10 new State grants. In fiscal year 2003, this program is not anticipating funding, therefore no notable accomplishments are anticipated.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $10,300,000; FY 03 est $12,500,000; and FY 04 est $0.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

From $668,000 to $1,350,000; $1,300,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Federal Register: March 31, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 63).

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Joyce G. Somsak, Director, State Planning Grants Program, Office of Special Programs, Health Resources and Service Administration, Room 11-25, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0938. Fax: (301) 443-2565.

Web Site Address

http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/stateplanning/

 

Examples of Funded Projects

The State Planning Grants Program grants were awarded in both fiscal years 2000 and 2001, and will be awarded in fiscal year 2002. The list of grantees is available at: www/hrsa/gov/osp under "State Planning Grants Program."

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Request for Preferences and Justification, each applicant must: provide evidence of current low rate of uninsurance or; provide a justification for its ability to significantly decrease a relatively high rate of uninsured. The applicant may choose which surveys (national or State level) to use in indicating a low rate of uninsured or that it can significantly reduce a relatively high rate of uninsured. 1. Current Status of Health Care Insurance (10 points); 1.1 Describes access to health insurance coverage in the State and rates of uninsurance, or describes specific knowledge gaps about uninsurance in the State and how grant activities could help to provide this information. 1.2 Describes key health issues in the State related to access and uninsurance. 1.3 Describes the State's current health care delivery system and its adequacy. 1.4 Describes the State's understanding of other state and national activities to reduce the uninsured and how these relate to the State's own situation. 2. Description of Earlier Effort to Reduce the Number of Uninsured (20 points); 2.1 Describes earlier State executive and legislative efforts to reduce the number of uninsured. 2.2 Describes the successes and implementation problems of earlier efforts. 2.3 Describes how the proposed plan will help to support these earlier efforts or create new initiatives. 3. Project Goals (5 points); 3.1 Describes clear project goals. 3.2 Describes how the project goals support the State Planning Grant Program goal of "encouraging States to provide access to affordable health insurance coverage to all citizens". 4. Project Description (45 points); 4.1 Details the data collection and data and policy analysis activities to be carried out; how these activities build upon earlier analytic activities within the State and how they relate to other relevant state or national efforts; data sources to be used; studies/analyses to be carried out. 4.2 Describes how the analytic efforts will be used to support the development of health insurance coverage options; describes information that is already available and how this new analysis will augment earlier efforts or provide new understanding of the problem of the uninsured and their characteristics in the State. 4.3. Describes how coverage options will be developed, ensuring that they address all criteria outlined in "Grant Expectations". 4.4 Describes the process for decision-making and proposing policy recommendations for coverage options. 4.5 Describes process for gaining collaboration across all relevant agencies in the public and private sectors necessary to implement strategies. 4.6 Describes the process for preparing the Report to the Secretary. 4.7 Provides a detailed project narrative which describes tasks to be completed, action steps, assigns responsibility, describes collaboration and provides a timetable for completion. 4.8 Describes an organizational structure that has the appropriate authority, can provide adequate oversight of the project, and can ensure collaboration among critical players. 4.9 Key project staff have the qualifications and skills necessary to carry out grant activities. 5. Budget (10 points); 5.1 The proposed budget and narrative justification is reasonable for the project and supports the project management plan and program goals. 5.2 The budget and accounting process are adequate. 6. Project Management and Report to Secretary (10 points); 6.1 describes the process for monitoring progress towards meeting project goals and completing tasks. 6.2 Describes commitment to work with the Federal project staff and other SPG grantees to prepare the Report to the Secretary and contribute to the national report.