The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on June 7 that $51 million will be available to help each state and the District of Columbia to strengthen state health insurance rate review procedures.   This is the first round in a $250 million grant program over the period 2010-2014 under the federal health care reform law.  To qualify for grant funding, each state must submit a detailed narrative, work plan, budget, and milestones showing how it will use the funds to develop or enhance its rate review procedures for private health insurance, including more robust data analysis and acquiring the information technology it needs to support such analysis.  State improvements to be achieved with round one funding are to be completed by September 30, 2011.  Round one grant applications are due July 7, 2010.  Award notices for qualifying states are to be issued August 9, 2010.