California Health Benefit
Exchange to Begin Coverage in 2014
SACRAMENTO – A federal grant
awarded today to the California Health Benefit Exchange (the Exchange) marks a
significant step in delivering on the promise of health care reform and
providing affordable health insurance options to millions of Californians.
“We are delighted with the
federal government's faith in the work we have done since the award of the
first grant a year ago,” said Diana Dooley, California Health and Human
Services Secretary and Chair of the California Health Benefit Exchange. “We’re
committed to implementing health care reform, and today’s award reflects the
strong partnership we have with the federal government. These funds will be
used to develop the backbone of a new health care system - one that promises
coverage to millions of Californians who, for a variety of reasons including
cost, currently go without it.”
The $196 million grant provides
funding for the Exchange to continue its start-up, planning and development
activities through June 30, 2013. This work will include the design of the
California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment and Retention System (CalHEERS),
outreach and marketing to educate Californians and small businesses in the
state about the marketplace and beginning the Exchange’s selection of
affordable health plans.
“These funds will allow
California to continue preparations to enable and support eligible Californians
to enroll into public and private health insurance programs in 2014,” said
Peter V. Lee, Executive Director of the California Health Benefit Exchange. “We
have worked hard to put together a plan that could not only garner the support
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but which reflects the
needs of Californians and the input of hundreds of stakeholders who understand
our State and the importance of getting this right.”
The Exchange is making
significant progress in the development and implementation of the programs to
serve Californians and small businesses. These new systems and support services
are needed to connect millions of Californians with quality and affordable health
coverage.
The Exchange has been engaged
in accelerated planning and development activities since its first $39 million
Exchange Establishment grant award in 2011 and has met, and in many cases
exceeded, the objectives and tasks identified in that work plan.
About the Exchange
California was the first state
to create a health benefit exchange following the passage of federal health
care reform. It is charged with creating a new insurance marketplace in which
individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase competitively priced
health plans using federal tax subsidies and credits beginning in 2014.
The Exchange is overseen by a
five-member board appointed by the Governor and Legislature; the California
Health and Human Services Secretary serves as an ex officio voting member and
is its current Chair.
For more information on the
Exchange, including its meeting calendar, visit www.HealthExchange.ca.gov.
