“Health centers are excited to help individuals in their communities take advantage of the benefits of new health insurance coverage options that start January 2014,” HRSA Administrator Mary Wakefield said in a news release about the grants. “Having trained, face-to-face assistance in enrollment from trusted resources at local health centers means that more people will get the help they need.”
In all, 1,159 health centers across the country received the grants, and the funding levels varied by state. For instance, California and Texas—two states with high uninsured populations—received a total of $21,931,657 and $9,907,308, respectively. A spokeswoman for the National Association of Community Health Centers told Modern Healthcare late last month that these facilities serve more than 22 million people, of whom about 35% are uninsured.
Separately, the federally run and state-run exchanges, using federal funds, will hire navigators and in-person assisters to help consumers sign up for coverage in the exchanges. In mid-August, HHS is expected to award $54 million in navigator grant funding.
“Between now and October 1st when enrollment of people in health plans is to begin, health centers face enormous challenges to counter misinformation and educate the public about the benefits provided under the healthcare law,” said a statement from the National Association of Community Health Centers. “Surveys show that more than three-fourths of those uninsured Americans who are most likely to qualify are unaware of their coverage options. It is vital that everyone who works at a health center be actively engaged in helping eligible patients gain the coverage they need and deserve. We stand ready to do our part.”
Follow Jessica Zigmond on Twitter: @MHjzigmond
