Virginia to use federal grant to boost health-care enrollment

Virginia has been awarded a $9.3 million federal grant to hire more than 100 people to help residents sign up for health care.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the grant would play a significant role in his efforts to expand health care coverage. “We will use this money to put more boots on the ground to make sure individuals and families find the best low-cost insurance options for them, and to make sure they know about the financial assistance that is available,” the governor said in a statement.

During the 2013-14 sign-up period, more than 216,000 Virginians purchased health plans. Nonetheless, the governor’s office said an estimated 300,000 Virginians who would have qualified for tax credits if they had bought insurance on healthcare.gov remain uninsured.

McAuliffe has set a goal to enroll up to 160,000 more Virginians on the federal website during the enrollment period that ends Feb. 15.

The grant, one of only four given to the states, was awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It will be administered by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

The commonwealth will  partner with the Virginia Community Healthcare Association and the Virginia Poverty Law Center in hiring enrollment assistants.