MI received health exchange grant

Last week, Michigan was given $30.6 million by the federal government to build and operate its health insurance exchange, according to The Detroit News.

The Department of Health and Human Services issued the grant on Thursday. The funding follows roughly $10 million awarded to Michigan in November, The Associated Press states. Last year, the state missed the deadline to alert Washington whether it would create a local exchange, rely on a system provided by the federal government or participate in a hybrid state-federal exchange.

Michigan is one of 11 states - including Kentucky, Minnesota and Iowa - granted funding last week.

"These states are working to implement the health care law, and we continue to support them as they build new affordable insurance marketplaces," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. "Starting in 2014, Americans in all states will have access to quality, affordable health insurance and these grants are helping to make that a reality."

Michigan's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs will use the funding to analyze the efficiency of the benefits exchange, and pay for legal counsel, technology, public education and other associated expenses.