CHRT releases an issue brief showing that through the end of the 2011 federal fiscal year, Michigan organizations have received more than $82.5 million in grant funding under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The majority of the funding is targeted to workforce building, helping the state educate and train more nurses and physicians. Other funding has gone to community health centers, community-based disease prevention programs, and programs to help the state prepare for changes coming to the health insurance market.

The grants are helping Michigan prepare for the increased number of people expected to have health insurance, particularly Medicaid.

“A lot of attention on health reform has been focused on the health insurance expansion, but expanding coverage alone will not increase access to care or move us closer to a more efficient and effective health care system,” says Marianne Udow-Phillips, CHRT’s founding executive director.

“The ACA’s grant-making focus shows that the federal government was concerned about the ability of states to care for their citizens with enough doctors, nurses, and locations for care.” In addition to describing the Michigan awards, the issue brief also shows what was awarded to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, revealing that the ACA grants are placing a priority on the development of the healthcare workforce and community health center infrastructure.