States will need sufficient, properly allocated staff and other resources to implement the ACA. Identifying the needs is the first step to meeting them and doing so as part of a coordinated approach will enable states to better leverage existing resources.

*Milestone details:

*Full name: Identify state staffing and other resources necessary for carrying out the implementation work plan.

*Relevance to the ACA:

The ACA creates new roles for states. Fulfilling those roles will require a redistribution or increase of resources, including staff. While the law does not require states to identify needed resources, completing this step will help states maximize efficiency in implementation. The ACA may also offer opportunities to leverage federal resources for state implementation activities. Examples of federal funding a state might leverage include:

§1002 – Grants to support offices of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman programs.

§1003 – Grants to support states’ new rate review responsibilities.

§1311 – Requires states to establish insurance Exchanges and provides planning and establishment grants for these activities.

§2001 – Extends Medicaid eligibility to all persons below 133 percent of the federal poverty level and increases FMAP for these newly eligible Medicaid beneficiaries.