Bill Text: HI HB1161 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Community Health Centers; Appropriations; Affordable Care Act; Medicaid; Health Homes; Med-QUEST Programs; Healthcare ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-01-21 - Re-Referred to HMS/CPH, WAM. [HB1161 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1161-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1161 |
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TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that community health centers serve uninsured, underinsured, low-income patient populations with demographic complexities and co-morbidities, in addition to one-fourth of the State's medicaid members, and much of the State's homeless population. Community health centers:
(1) Are nonprofit, community-based organizations whose purpose and expertise lie in providing quality person-centered health care to underserved populations and areas;
(2) Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health care and a broad range of integrated primary care and preventive services;
(3) Operate in medically-underserved areas where people have limited access to other health care providers because of geographic and socio-economic barriers;
(4) Contribute greatly to the economies and livability of the communities they serve; and
(5) Are cost-effective quality health care providers whose care results in healthier patients and decreased use of emergency, specialty, and inpatient services.
Community health centers save the health care system $1,263 per patient per year due to timely, effective care and care management that reduces unnecessary emergency room, inpatient, and specialty utilization. This translated to savings of more than $90,000,000 for Hawaii's medicaid program in 2013. Their patient-centered delivery system features comprehensive primary medical, behavioral-health, and dental services; care management and enabling services that enhance access, compliance, and patient engagement; and focus on quality outcomes supported by electronic health records that conform to meaningful use requirements. Community health centers are smart investments that result in healthier communities while saving the State money.
The legislature further finds that it is in the best interest of the State to ensure access to primary, behavioral, dental, and preventive health care for its residents. In addition to facilitating a healthier population, improving access to health care reduces state expenditures attributable to hospital and emergency room services for preventable injuries or illnesses.
SECTION 2. The legislature finds that the State's federally matched medicaid and med-QUEST programs form an essential support for underserved individuals and for community health centers. Among the medicaid programs that need to be fully funded are dental benefits for adults and outreach and enrollment services.
Oral health is as important as any other physical or mental health need, and dental diseases contribute to cardiac issues and premature births. Unaddressed dental needs affect the ability of individuals to obtain and keep employment.
Med-QUEST programs offer insurance options for low-income uninsured citizens. Under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, such programs expanded to accommodate additional uninsured adults. It is in the best interest of the State to ensure that community programs reach out to and assist individuals and families with children to enroll in med-QUEST programs and other social support programs for which they are eligible.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to provide quality, cost-effective health care for Hawaii residents who are uninsured, newly uninsured, underinsured, potential medicaid enrollees, or medicaid enrollees.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to restore basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees. The department of human services shall obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this section.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to provide outreach and eligibility services, including medicaid and children's health insurance program eligibility, for children, families, and individuals at federally qualified health centers. The department of human services shall obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this section.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the community health centers special fund the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to the department of health to be transferred to the department of human services and expended to establish health care homes for medicaid enrollees at federally qualified community health centers as provided in the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. The department of human services shall obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this section.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Community Health Centers; Appropriations; Affordable Care Act; Medicaid; Health Care Homes; Med-QUEST Programs; Healthcare
Description:
Appropriates funds to the department of human services to restore basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees and to provide outreach and eligibility services for individuals and families at federally qualified health centers. Appropriates funds from the community health centers special fund to establish health care homes.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
