The Department of Health and Human Services announces research grants of up to $1 million each for 48 states and the District of Columbia to aid in the organization and planning of the health insurance exchanges, which will become operational in 2014. The grants will be used for:

• “Assessing current information technology (IT) systems and infrastructure and determining new requirements.

• Developing partnerships with community organizations to gain public input into the exchange planning process.

• Planning for consumer call centers to answer questions from their residents.

• Determining the statutory rules needed to build the exchanges.

• Hiring key staff and determining ongoing staffing needs.

• Planning the coordination of eligibility and enrollment systems across Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the exchanges.

• Developing performance metrics, milestones and ongoing evaluation.”