A grant for providing assistance to individuals to obtain and maintain health care benefits and making an appropriation

appealing denials of eligibility or denials of coverage for health care services;

coordinating health care benefits for people who have more than one source of health care coverage; referring people to information and programs regarding preventive health care, chronic disease management, responsible utilization of health care services, and healthy lifestyle; coordinating efforts of community members who are involved in assisting people in obtaining and maintaining health care benefits; and educating people about the services provided under the grant program. The bill provides that the oversight organization may award funding for these services to nonprofit entities, governmental units, or institutions of higher education. The bill establishes minimum knowledge requirements for people employed by the entities to provide the services. The bill also prohibits an entity that receives funding, or its employees, from having a financial interest in a health insurance company or health insurance plan or from being directly involved in accrediting a hospital or nursing home.

The bill requires the oversight organization to provide matching funds for the grant in the first year that DHS awards the grant and requires each entity that receives funding from the oversight organization to provide matching funds on an ongoing basis. Finally, the bill requires DHS to apply for any federal funds available for assisting people in obtaining and maintaining health care benefits.