Report Title:

Quest Enrollment Cap

Description:

Requires the department of human services to abolish the cap on enrollment in the QUEST program.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2124

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

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 men and 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 men and women are at high risk for not receiving necessary primary and preventive care and not obtaining 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 sixty-two 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 2004-2005, 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, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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