Report Title:
Department of Human Services; Medical Assistance Programs; Hale Mahaolu Appropriation
Description:
Requires Hawaii to maximize the receipt of federal matching funds to enroll eligible families in medical assistance programs. Appropriates unspecified funds for FY 2004-2005 and FY 2005-2006 to the Department of Human Services to facilitate the enrollment of eligible families in medical assistance programs. Appropriates funds for a grant-in-aid to Hale Mahaolu for a home and community-based program on Maui. (SD1)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
668 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to human services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
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 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 part 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 requirements 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 part.
PART II
SECTION 3. The legislature finds that home and community-based programs provide necessary services to allow frail elderly and disabled individuals to remain in the community. Absent such programs, these individuals would likely be institutionalized, with the costs of care covered by the State through the medicaid program. Moreover, home and community-based services can be provided at a significantly lower cost than nursing home care, allowing the State to provide services to more individuals with the limited resources available.
The legislature further finds that, for the past thirty-two years, Hale Mahaolu has provided affordable rental units and social services programs for disabled or chronically ill frail adults and elders and on the island of Maui. Hale Mahaolu established the personal care program in 1985 to provide income-eligible disabled or chronically ill frail adults and elders on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, with assistance and financial aid for in-home personal care attendant services. Currently in the second year of a four-year contract with the department of human services, Hale Mahaolu's personal care program provides community-based services to low income elders at a significantly lower cost than nursing home care, thereby maximizing limited federal and state resources for medical assistance.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $90,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for a grant-in-aid to Hale Mahaolu for the personal care program for disabled or chronically ill frail adults and elders residing in Maui county.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part.
PART III
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.