Report Title:

DHS; Delinking Welfare and Medical Assistance

Description:

Requires Hawaii to comply with federal requirements to maximize the receipt of federal matching funds to support the State's efforts to delink welfare and medical assistance. Appropriates $          in FY 2003-2004 and $          in FY 2004-2005.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

668

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

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:

(1) The Congress of the United States appropriated funds to facilitate Hawaii's efforts in delinking welfare and medical assistance. The funds are to be used to:

(A) Broaden the scope and improve the effectiveness of outreach performance, and communications with program beneficiaries; and

(B) Enhance and expedite departmental efficiency in administering its procedures with respect to program beneficiaries;

(2) The QUEST rolls have decreased and the number of residents without health insurance has increased. Consequently, there is a considerable need to educate at-risk families of the eligibility and application process for medical assistance;

(3) Hawaii is not in compliance with federal directives requiring the State to support outstationing eligibility activities at all federally qualified health centers and rural heath center locations, and at other sites that are likely to attract families eligible for public medical assistance; and

(4) Federal funds are available to:

(A) Match, up to ninety per cent, of the costs of approved delinking activities, including outreach programs, application assistance, and improving the readability of materials; and

(B) Match, up to seventy-five per cent, of the cost incurred to improve department computer software systems and to hire additional staff.

The purpose of this Act is to maximize the receipt of federal funds to enroll eligible families in medical assistance programs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $            or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 to:

(1) Undertake outreach and application assistance;

(2) Improve the readability of materials;

(3) Improve internal processes; and

(4) Comply with federal requirement for matching funds to enroll eligible families in medical assistance programs.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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