On Friday, Feburary 25, 2011 OK Governor Mary Fallin issued a press release announcing ”Oklahoma Will Accept $54 M “Early Innovator Grant” to Support Oklahoma-Based Health Insurance Exchange.”
Noticably missing from the announcement is the fact that the “Early Innovators” grants are to fund implementation of the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure needed to operate Health Insurance Exchanges, a cornerstone of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, aka “ObamaCare.”
The grant application, officially called the Cooperative Agreements to Support Innovative Exchange Information Technology Systems, is a 41-page document outlining the purpose, authority, and background of the funding “opportunity”, as well as eligibility requirements states must meet in order to qualify.
The application also notes the specific sections of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, together referred to as the Affordable Care Act) authorizing the funding of the grant.
Oklahoma was one of seven initial grant awardees, with our state getting the largest dollar amount – $54,582,269. The grantee in Oklahoma is the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
According to Grants.gov, the expected number of awards is 51 – all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.
All of the exchanges are to be interoperable and usable by other states.
Original post and additional information here >>>
Additional information on topic:
