Expanding Access to Women’s Health Grant | CMS 2R2 24 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for CMS 2R2 24 001

The Expanding Access to Women's Health Grant (Funding Opportunity Number: CMS 2R2 24 001) is a discretionary grant program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that provides funding to state governments to strengthen how health insurance markets deliver coverage and consumer protections, with a specific emphasis on improving access to reproductive and maternal health services. The opportunity is rooted in Section 2794(c) of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, which originally set aside $250 million for state-based health insurance rate review grants across fiscal years 2010 through 2014. Under Section 2794(c)(2)(B), any of those rate review grant funds that were not obligated by the end of FY 2014 remain available to the Secretary for a related purpose: awarding grants to states to plan and implement key health insurance market reforms and consumer protections established under Part A of Title XXVII of the PHS Act.

In practical terms, this funding is meant to help states do the policy, regulatory, and operational work needed to make certain insurance reforms function effectively, especially as they relate to women's health. The notice identifies two pre-selected provisions of Part A of Title XXVII that applicants must center their proposed activities around. The first is Section 2707, which deals with comprehensive health insurance coverage through the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) package. Work under this area can involve planning and implementation efforts that support coverage that is robust and comprehensive, including benefits that matter for reproductive and maternal health. The second is Section 2713, which focuses on coverage of preventive health services, meaning activities that help ensure health plans cover recommended preventive services in accordance with federal requirements and consumer protections, again with a focus on expanding access for women and improving maternal health outcomes.

Only state governments are eligible to apply. CMS anticipates making awards to essentially every state-level jurisdiction, with an expected 51 awards. The stated award ceiling is $210,000 per award, indicating this is designed as targeted implementation support rather than large-scale service delivery funding. The application closing date is August 7, 2024, and the opportunity was posted on June 7, 2024. The program is listed under CFDA number 93.797 and falls under the health funding activity category, using the standard grant funding instrument.

Overall, the grant is best understood as a policy and implementation support tool: it helps states strengthen the rules, oversight, and market practices that translate federal insurance protections into real-world access, with the program's explicit goal being expanded coverage of and access to reproductive and maternal health services through the EHB framework and preventive services coverage requirements.

• The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Expanding Access to Women’s Health Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.797.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $210,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 51 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments.

Apply for CMS 2R2 24 001

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