Bill Text: HI HB577 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Community Health Centers; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-12-17 - Carried over to 2016 Regular Session. [HB577 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB577-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
577 |
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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, one-fourth of the State's Medicaid members, and a significant portion of the State's homeless individuals and families. 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 along with 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 or 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 in-patient services.
The legislature further finds that community health centers save the health care system $1,263 per patient per year due to timely and effective care and care management that reduces unnecessary emergency room visits, in-patient visits, and specialty utilization reviews. In 2013, this translated to more than $90,000,000 in savings for Hawaii's Medicaid program. The patient-centered delivery system of community health centers:
(1) Feature comprehensive primary medical care, behavioral health care, and dental services;
(2) Feature care management and enabling services that enhance access, compliance, and patient engagement; and
(3) Focuses on quality outcomes supported by electronic health records that conform to meaningful use requirements.
Community health centers are a smart investment that create healthier communities and save the State money.
The legislature also finds that implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has resulted in uncertainty for many individuals and has presented challenges for individuals to obtain health insurance. Overall, about twenty per cent of health center patients remain uninsured with some individual health centers servicing larger percentages of uninsured patient populations. For these reasons, it is imperative that the State provide support and resources to health centers so that uninsured individuals have access to primary, dental, and behavioral health care services that prevent unnecessary or inappropriate use of emergency rooms and other uncompensated health care facilities.
The legislature further finds that it is in the best interests 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 and illnesses.
The purpose of this Act is to provide quality, cost-effective health care for Hawaii residents who are uninsured or underinsured.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 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 provide resources to federally qualified community health centers for the provision of direct health care for the uninsured and underinsured, which may include primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care; provided that the distribution of funds may be on a per-visit basis, and may include an additional per-member, per-month quality incentive payment, taking into consideration the level of need on all islands.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purpose of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Community Health Centers; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for community health centers in the State.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
