Report Title:

QUEST program

 

Description:

Requires the department of human services to abolish the cap on enrollment in the QUEST program. (HB340 HD1)

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

340

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to human services.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of human services has imposed a cap on enrollment in the QUEST medical assistance program that prevents many non-pregnant women who are income- and asset-eligible from enrolling in the program. This failure to adjust the cap means that income- and asset-eligible adults will find it even more difficult to get into the QUEST program.

The legislature further finds that these excluded low-income women are at high risk for not getting the necessary primary and preventive care, not getting necessary prescription drugs, and are more likely to incur or generate unnecessary emergency room costs because of their uninsured status. Uninsured adults are a financial burden on hospitals, emergency rooms, community health care centers, and others that provide uncompensated care.

The legislature further finds that almost fifty-four per cent of the funds needed to cover all eligible adults under the QUEST program can be matched by the federal government. In addition, the cap limit has not been raised even though more children are now eligible due to more liberal eligibility requirements for children implemented in July 2000.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of human services to abolish the cap on enrollment in the QUEST program and facilitate enrollment of all adults who meet the income and asset eligibility criteria for the program.

SECTION 2. The department of human services shall cease to bar enrollment of eligible applicants for the QUEST program.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 to provide QUEST program coverage for all adults who meet the program's income and asset eligibility criteria.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.