Beginning in 2007, State Coverage Initiatives unveiled a new technical assistance program, the Coverage Institute, which will be focusing 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 is bringing together fourteen states (Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin ) working on substantial or comprehensive health reform to work with one another and with policy experts around the development and design of those reforms. On September 26-28, 2007, the Coverage Institute began with an intensive two-and-a-half day meeting where state teams discussed major issues of health care reform. Each state participated in a highly interactive, team-based process for developing policy and program recommendations. Fifteen distinguished faculty shared 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. This project will continue through June 2009.

Participating states now have an opportunity to apply for additional funding for: 1) options development/micro-simulation modeling; or 2) other reform development activities. Eligible states may apply for both awards; however, if selected, they can only receive one.

Coverage Institute Kick-Off Meeting

Options Development and Modeling CFP

Development Grants CFP

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