Bill Text: HI SB1285 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Medical Facilities.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB1285 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB1285-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1285 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to medical facilities.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Pacific Islander communities have been affected by COVID-19 at higher numbers than any other community of color in the State. Compact of Free Association (COFA) recipients have been particularly adversely impacted. Unfortunately, many COFA recipients have experienced prejudice and discrimination in the healthcare system and no longer use medical facilities as a first option to treat illnesses, but rather as an option of last resort that often results in a much more severe prognosis than if the patient had received treatment at an earlier stage.
The legislature further finds that, with the reinstatement of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance by the United States Congress on December 20, 2020, COFA recipients are now able to participate in Medicaid and will no longer be a part of the largely uninsured population in Hawaii. In 2018, the United States Census Bureau estimated the number of COFA recipients in the State at approximately sixteen thousand persons. Therefore, investing in programs to bridge the cultural and language gaps between healthcare providers and COFA recipients, as well as other communities with similar cultural and language barriers, will help alleviate the financial burden on the State and mitigate revenue loss for medical facilities who provide service and care for individuals who are uninsured.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require any hospital that serves a community including more than five hundred COFA benefit recipients to:
(1) Establish diversity and inclusion training for all staff; and
(2) Hire interpreters and community healthcare workers as necessary to bridge the language and cultural divide with the community.
SECTION 2. Any hospital that serves a community including more than five hundred persons who are recipients of benefits pursuant to the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985, Public Law 99-239, or the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau, Public Law 99-658, shall:
(1) Establish and implement a program of diversity and inclusion training for all staff; and
(2) Hire interpreters and community healthcare workers as necessary to effectively communicate with and provide culturally sensitive services to the community.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Hospitals; Medical Facilities; COFA Recipients; Diversity and Inclusion Training; Interpreters; Community Healthcare Workers
Description:
Requires any hospital that serves a community including more than five hundred COFA benefit recipients to establish diversity and inclusion training for all staff, and to hire interpreters and community healthcare workers as necessary to bridge the language and cultural divide with the community. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
