The State Coverage Initiatives (SCI) program has announced the availability of $300,000 in policy planning grants for states to support targeted activities that contribute to the planning process for expanding or maintaining coverage. These funds will support projects including: studies (e.g., modeling, actuarial, market analyses, etc.), funding state staff or consultants to work on specific coverage strategies, and other relevant projects. Projects will be funded up to $150,000.

We are particularly interested in providing grant funding for states to:

• identify, plan, and implement innovative approaches to extend coverage to families through public programs such as Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as other state-designed coverage programs;
• implement strategies to build upon and extend employer-based coverage;
• expand the availability and affordability of health insurance for individuals; and
• explore new coverage models and partnerships such as reinsurance or using the state public insurance pooling mechanism for small firms and individuals.