Bill Text: HI HB863 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Community Health Centers; Adult Dental Care; Medicaid; Appropriations ($)
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-28 - Referred to HUS/HLT, FIN, referral sheet 3 [HB863 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2015-HB863-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
863 |
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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:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature 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 the State's expenditures attributable to hospital and emergency room services for preventable injuries or illnesses. 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 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 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 that 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 also finds that 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, in-patient, and specialty utilization. This translated to savings of more than $90 million 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. The legislature believes that community health centers are a smart investment that result in healthier communities while saving the State money.
The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to establish health care homes for medicaid enrollees of federally qualified community health centers.
SECTION 2. 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 establish health care homes for medicaid enrollees at federally qualified community health centers as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part; provided that the department shall solicit and accept the maximum federal matching funds available for this appropriation.
PART II
SECTION 3. The legislature finds that oral health is as important as any other physical or mental health need, and dental diseases contribute to cardiac health and premature births. Unaddressed dental needs affect the ability of individuals to obtain and keep employment. Among the medicaid programs that need to be fully funded are dental benefits for adults and outreach and enrollment services for these benefits.
The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to restore basic dental benefits to medicaid enrollees.
SECTION 4. 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 sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part; provided that the department shall solicit and accept the maximum federal matching funds available for this appropriation.
PART III
SECTION 5. The legislature finds that Med-QUEST programs offer insurance options for low-income uninsured citizens. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, these programs will expand to accommodate additional uninsured adults. The legislature believes that it is in the best interest of the State to ensure that community programs seek out and assist individuals and families with children who are eligible for enrollment in Med-QUEST and other social support programs.
The purpose of this part is to appropriate moneys to provide outreach and eligibility services including medicaid and CHIP eligibility for children, facilities, and individuals at federally qualified health centers.
SECTION 6. 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 CHIP eligibility, for children, families, and individuals at federally qualified health centers.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this part; provided that the department shall solicit and accept the maximum federal matching funds available for this appropriation.
PART IV
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Community Health Centers; Adult Dental Care; Medicaid; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates moneys to: establish health care homes at federally qualified community health centers; restore basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees; and provide outreach and eligibility services at federally qualified health centers. Requires DHS to solicit and accept matching federal funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
