What the Supreme Court Ruling means to health funding

(From the Community Health Funding Report)  

 

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the health reform law, billions of federal dollars intended to improve the nation’s healthcare system are safely up for grabs, according to an analysis issued by Community Health Funding Report, a continually updated online news service covering federal and private funding for national and local programs serving populations with health needs.

The law’s provisions calling for states to expand their Medicaid services or risk losing federal funding was also upheld, but with limitations. The Court said the government cannot withhold funding from states which choose not to expand their healthcare services.

In essence, the ruling says Congress’ taxing authority gives it the right to impose the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate requiring people to buy health insurance or pay a penalty for failing to do so.

More health funding than usual

Prior to the Court’s ruling – and with the fate of the law still undecided – the Health & Human Services Dept. (HHS) moved to expedite various health care programs authorized by the Act, totaling $2.7 billion in federal funding. This included nearly $900 million for the Innovation Challenge, a Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services program, to test more efficient ways of delivering health care. For more on the program, please visit http://tinyurl.com/cob3a3v.
Another HHS program, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Prevention & Public Health Fund (PPHF) (CFDA Number: 93.539), increased the number of grant solicitations in the weeks preceding the Court’s decision. PPHF has provided millions of dollars to each state to promote wellness and prevent disease through various types of programs, including obesity efforts.

For example, CDC is accepting applications through July 17 for a $20 million PPHF award to help early education providers implement quality obesity prevention strategies. The name of the solicitation is PPHF: Obesity Prevention Programs (Statewide Collaboratives to Improve Nutrition, Breastfeeding Support, Physical Activity and Screen Time Practices for Obesity Prevention in Young Children) (CFDA Number: 93.742).

States have millions of dollars

In addition to these active solicitations, CDC’s William Dietz, who helps oversee the program, says states still have millions of PPHF dollars left to fund various types of health reform programs. Dietz recommends those seeking funds for obesity programs approach state officials about any leftover funding. CDC offers an interactive map on state activities at: http://tinyurl.com/7ucd5ts.

Info: To access the Supreme Court’s ruling, please go to http://tinyurl.com/7bxnmq5.

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