Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
A total of $80,000,000 has been made available for the qualified high-risk pool operation grant program. $40,000,000 was made available for obligation from FY 2003-FY 2004 and another $40,000,000 is being made available for obligation from FY 2004-FY 2005.
Formula and Matching Requirements
A State must have a qualified high-risk pool that incurred a loss in order to be eligible for a grant. States may apply for a grant in relation to losses incurred in the fiscal year 2002, 2003, and 2004. A State can be awarded a maximum of two grants. As directed by the statute, funds will be allocated using a formula based on the number of uninsured individuals in each eligible State. The formula was further defined through the rulemaking process with a regulation with a 60-day comment period. See the website: www.cms.hhs.gov/riskpool for additional information.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.