The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) legislation authorized funding for many different projects and programs throughout the country.  Illinois has been the recipient of many of these grant funded awards.

Consumer Assistance Program Grants

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

The Consumer Assistance and Program grants ensure that consumers receive their new rights and benefits under the Affordable Care Act. The grants will strengthen and enhance on-going consumer protection from Insurance Industry practices that negatively affect consumers

Illinois Department of Insurance, Amount Awarded:  $1,454,594

• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of existing Department consumer assistance activities.
• Establish a Consumer Advisory Council to monitor and provide independent review of the Department’s future consumer assistance activities.
• Develop a comprehensive and user-friendly Consumer Assistance Portal allowing easy online access to all services provided by the Department.
• Improve existing infrastructure used to conduct and track consumer assistance activities.
• Provide additional training and other resources to consumer assistance personnel.
• Hire staff to support the expanded consumer assistance activities.
• Develop and execute a targeted consumer outreach plan.

Funding for Community Health Centers

Friday, October 8, 2010

HHS announces over $727 million in grants through the Affordable Care Act to upgrade and expand community health centers. This funding includes $45.63 million in funding for Illinois Community Health Centers:

• Community Health and Emergency Services, Inc.: Carbondale, IL
  • $5,151,895
• Chicago Family Health Center, Inc.: Chicago, IL
  • $6,257,249
• The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois: Chicago, IL
  • $12,000,000
• Christian Community Health Center: Chicago, IL
  • $4,608,006
• Beloved Community Family Wellness Center: Chicago, IL
  • $2,229,815
• Near North Health Service Corporation: Chicago, IL
  • $4,000,000
• Henderson County Rural Health Center, Inc.: Oquawka, IL
  • $1,067,669
• Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation: Sauget, IL
  • $10,324,862

Check out the full list of all funded Community Health Centers.

Funding for Navigating Health & Long-Term Care Options

Monday, September 27, 2010

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces $68 million in grant awards to states to ‘help people navigate health and long-term care options’.  This funding stream is separate than those funds appropriated in the Affordable Care Act.  However, this funding is supportive of the Affordable Care Act health reform.  Funding will be used for several projects:

• Medicare Outreach and Assistance in Low Income Programs and Prevention
  • Illinois awarded $1,499,253
• Aging & Disability Resource Center Options Counseling
  • Illinois awarded $457,160
• Evidence Based Care Transitions
  • Illinois awarded $197,656 (*Health & Medicine included in this grant)

HHS also provided a detailed list of all states receiving funding to help people navigate their long-term care options.

Funding to Expand the Primary Care Workforce

Monday, September 27, 2010

HHS announces $320 million in grants through ACA to strengthen the United States health care workforce under several grant funding streams.

• Health Profession Opportunity Grants to Serve TANF Recipients and Other Low-Income Individuals
  • Illinois awarded $2.58 million
    • Will County, Joliet
    • Southland Health Care Forum, Inc., Chicago Heights
• Prevention and Public Health Fund Workforce Grants
  • Advanced Nursing Education Expansion – Illinois awarded $1.42 million
    • The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
  • Nurse Managed Health Clinics – Illinois awarded $1.49 million
    • The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
  • Primary Care Residency Expansion – Illinois awarded $4.74 million
    • Swedish Covenant Hospital: Chicago, Illinois
    • The University of Illinois at Chicago: Chicago, Illinois
    • Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University: Springfield, Illinois