Nh Gets Health Care Coverage Funds From Hhs
A $1 million grant to New Hampshire to help the state provide health care coverage to residents who cannot get conventional health insurance because they are too sick has been released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The grant is in addition to the $224,000 given to the state last month for operation of its high-risk insurance pool.
High-risk pools are typically state-created non-profit associations that offer health coverage to individuals with serious medical conditions. Enrollment in these pools is growing, with more than 172,000 individuals enrolled in state pools nationwide.
The grants were authorized in the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002. The $1 million grant to New Hampshire is a start-up grant for the initial operation of its risk pool. To be eligible, a state must create a “qualified” high-risk pool that meets the criteria specified in the Trade Act. New Hampshire’s risk pool began operation in July 2002. HHS’ Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers the program.
“Helping states establish high risk pools is an important tool in our effort to cover more uninsured Americans,” said CMS Acting Administrator Dennis Smith. “This grant for New Hampshire will help get coverage to people who otherwise would not have access to health care.”