The State Coverage Initiatives program (SCI) is pleased to announce a new offering to states. In 2007, SCI is holding its second annual Coverage Institute. This year’s institute focuses on substantial and comprehensive care health reform.
The goals of the Institute are to:
- Provide support to states that are seriously considering substantial and comprehensive health reform; and
- Develop the capacity of state officials to understand the implications of different programmatic decisions and how those may impact the existing system.
The Coverage Institute will bring together selected states to work with one another and with expert consultants around the development and design of their reforms. Beginning in late September or mid-October 2007, the Coverage Institute will kick-off with an intensive two-to-three day meeting during which state teams will discuss major issues of health care reform. Selected states will participate in a highly interactive, team-based process for developing policy and program recommendations. Participant teams will meet with experts to assess current challenges, analyze strategic policy options, and revise or refine current state-specific plans. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with participating policymakers from other states to network and discuss experiences and best practices. The Coverage Institute faculty will share their expertise on various issues including: insurance market reforms, reinsurance, other methods to subsidize coverage, connectors/exchanges, Medicaid waivers and the Deficit Reduction Act, health systems improvement, and strategies for building stakeholder and policymaker support.
After the meeting in the fall of 2007, only participating states will have an opportunity to apply for additional funding for modeling assistance or other development resources.
Selection Criteria
Successful applicants for participation in the 2007 Coverage Institute will be required to show that:
- The state is committed to moving forward with substantial or comprehensive reforms. Evidence of this commitment can include state actions that signal a high-priority commitment of state resources towards the development of coverage expansion.
- The likelihood of action being taken is high.
- There is evidence of commitment to and interest in health reform by both the executive and legislative branches.
- The state is drafting or has already developed a framework for reform.
- The reform plan includes a sizable coverage objective, such as expanding eligibility to all children or making a significant percentage reduction in the number of uninsured.
- The work conducted under the Institute will be integral to the work of the policymakers who effect change.
- The state work will contribute to the knowledge base for state and federal policymakers.
Applications to participate in the 2007 Coverage Institute must be submitted by the Governor’s Office within one of the 50 United States or the Mayor of Washington, D.C.
To learn more about the Coverage Institute and how to apply, please review the Coverage Institute Call for Proposals.
The deadline to apply is June 27, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. EDT.
Should you have additional questions regarding the program and/or the application requirements please contact:
Isabel Friedenzohn, MPH
Senior Associate
State Coverage Initiatives
AcademyHealth
1801 K Street, N.W., Suite 701-L
Washington, D.C., 20006-1309
202-292-6726
scigrants@academyhealth.org
