Report Title:

Health Care For Uninsured Individuals

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of health to provide resources to nonprofit community-based health care programs.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

666

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to health care.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the State to ensure access to primary and preventive health care for its residents. In addition to creating a healthier population, access to health care also reduces state expenditures arising from hospital and emergency room services for preventable injuries or illnesses.

The legislature further finds that Hawaii's system of nonprofit, community-based health care providers specialize in preventive care for those who are uninsured due to cultural and socio-economic conditions. These health care providers also contribute greatly to the economies of the depressed areas they serve, as well as the state. It is estimated that these types of health care providers are directly or indirectly responsible for adding $85,000,000 and almost one thousand one hundred jobs to the local economy.

The legislature further finds that adequate financial support for this system of community health care providers is constantly threatened by a lack of resources since it is established for those who cannot pay for care.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to ensure the enduring viability of Hawaii's system of nonprofit community-based health care to maintain cost-effective care for the uninsured.

SECTION 2. The department of health shall provide resources to nonprofit, community-based health care providers for the uninsured with funds appropriated by this Act. Funds appropriated for this purpose may be used to pay for providing direct care including primary medical care, dental care, behavioral and mental health care, and optometry services. Services such as laboratory and radiology services and follow up visits by a patient's primary care provider at sites outside the health care center shall be considered separate billable visits. Not more than $50,000 of money appropriated may be used to reimburse federally qualified health centers for prescription pharmaceuticals dispensed to patients uninsured for prescription drugs with incomes of not more than two hundred per cent of the poverty level. Distribution of funds may be on a "per-visit" basis, taking into consideration the need for services on all islands, and the cost incurred by the health centers or other entities to deliver care.

Appropriate nonprofit community-based health care providers may include community health centers, school-based clinics, and the Care-A-Van program for the homeless.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,750,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the sum of $3,750,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for health care for the medically uninsured.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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