Delaware gets federal grant for health care reform

DOVER, Del. (AP) — State officials are celebrating a federal grant of more than $8.5 million to help Delaware establish health insurance marketplaces under the national health care reform act.

Officials said Friday that the Health and Human Services grant will support the review of qualified health plan applications and analysis of policy options for ensuring continuity of care and coverage for lower-income Delawareans.

Officials said the grant will help them reach out to the 35,000 Delawareans they expect to participate in the state’s insurance marketplace and allow a seamless integration with Delaware’s existing Medicaid program.

Delaware will begin enrolling clients in its health insurance exchange in October for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014.

The grant was part of $1.5 billion in funding awarded to several states for building health insurance marketplaces.