[Lidawka]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7781U720110809

Kansas returns health insurance exchange grant

Tue Aug 9, 2011 6:22pm EDT

* Kansas governor sends back "early innovator" HHS grant

* Brings returned grants amount to some $90 million

* HHS likely would have to set up Kansas exchange

By Alina Selyukh

WASHINGTON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - Kansas became on Tuesday the second U.S. state to return a large federal grant meant to help it create a prototype health insurance exchange as part of the Obama administration's healthcare overhaul.

Republican Governor Sam Brownback said the state would give back the $31.5 million it received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to become an early leader, along with six other states, in establishing health insurance exchanges that other local government could use as a model.

Exchanges are meant to provide an open marketplace of competing insurance plans that allow uninsured people and small businesses to band together to negotiate cheaper rates.

Kansas's move brings the total amount of the returned exchange-related federal grants to almost $90 million as Republican governors seek to block implementation of the healthcare law supported largely by Democratic lawmakers.

Experts warn that many states are falling far behind schedule for a smooth and timely roll-out of the reform.

[tigoCeree]

KWCH: http://www.kwch.com/news/kwch-rzw-wi...,2475307.story

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards of $28.8 million to 67 community health center programs across the country. These funds, made available by the Affordable Care Act, will help to establish new health service delivery sites to care for an additional 286,000 patients.

GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc. in Wichita was the only Kansas community to make the list and will receive $525,000.00. Community health centers work to improve the health of the nation's underserved communities and vulnerable populations by ensuring access to comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services.

“We are making an investment in the health of people and the health of our communities,” said Secretary Sebelius. “These awards demonstrate a commitment to improving and expanding access to quality health care for local communities. We are removing barriers that stand in the way of affordable and accessible primary health services.”