Bill Text: HI HB527 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Mobile Clinics.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-15 - Received notice of discharge of conferees (Hse. Com. No. 385). [HB527 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB527-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
527 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 2 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MOBILE CLINICS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that homelessness continues to be one of the State's most significant and challenging social problems. According to the 2016 Hawaii statewide homeless point-in-time count conducted in January 2016, there are 7,921 homeless individuals in the State, an overall increase of four per cent from 2015. Homeless persons face a myriad of issues, including general health issues, mental illness, and substance abuse. These issues affecting homeless persons also impact the general population through the costs of social and health care services. In fiscal years 2014 and 2015, The Queen's Medical Center reported treating 3,441 patients who were homeless. Treating these homeless individuals is sometimes uncompensated.
The legislature further finds that mobile clinics are increasing in popularity across the nation as the government tries to find ways to address the health care needs of the homeless population. In places such as Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; and San Jose, California, mobile clinics offer a variety of free health care services for local homeless populations, resulting in significant cost savings when compared to emergency room visits.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for purchasing, staffing, and operating two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population.
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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to purchase, staff, and operate two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population; provided that:
(1) The staff shall include, at minimum, one primary care provider, one nurse, one pharmacist, and one psychiatrist and may include staff as needed, including a social worker, outreach worker, and students pursuing a degree in medicine or nursing; and
(2) The mobile clinics may provide, at minimum, the following services:
(A) Non-emergency medical services for chronic, acute, and episodic conditions;
(B) Testing for sexually transmitted disease, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis;
(C) Family planning;
(D) Child and family services;
(E) Behavioral health and substance abuse services;
(F) Mental health services;
(G) Dental care;
(H) Referral services;
(I) Shower and laundry services;
(J) Clean clothing;
(K) Health insurance enrollment;
(L) Pharmacy services;
(M) Street medicine; provided that for the purposes of this subparagraph, "street medicine" means the practice of directly delivering health care and related services to persons found on the streets, in parks, along river banks, on beaches, and in abandoned buildings; and
(N) Other assistance services;
provided further that the department of human services may procure the mobile clinic services pursuant to chapter 103F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2075.
Report Title:
Mobile Clinic; Homeless; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to purchase, staff, and operate two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population. Takes effect on 7/1/2075. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
