Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy receives just under $1 Million Federal Grant for Virginia Healthy Small Business Initiative

The Office of Minority Health and Public Health Policy was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its new State Health Access Program to provide greater access to affordable health coverage for workers in Virginia’s small firms. The funding period is five years and will bring in over $15 million in federal funds to Virginia. Grant funds will be used to test and then replicate the offer of a small business employee wellness product as an add-on to, or stepping stone toward, enrollment in a three-share health insurance product with subsidies available for employees up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Funds will also be used to establish a Virginia Center for Healthy Small Business as a sustainable public-private partnership. The Center will have a statewide mission to strengthen Virginia small business by spreading employee health innovation and educating small businesses about the value of health coverage and employee wellness.