Bill Text: HI SR82 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Medicaid; QUEST; Basic Health Program; Department of Human Services

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-06-22 - (S) Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-19-12. [SR82 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SR82-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3405

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 82

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 82, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REEXAMINE THE BASIC HEALTH PLAN UNDER THE FEDERAL PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ONCE FEDERAL RULES HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND TO CONSIDER AMENDING THE FEDERAL SECTION 1115 WAIVER GRANTED TO HAWAII TO RAISE THE MEDICAID INCOME ELIGIBILITY CEILING TO PROVIDE THE GREATEST HEALTH CARE COVERAGE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF HAWAII'S PEOPLE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to examine the applicability of the Basic Health Program for low-income persons in Hawaii and determine whether it should amend the federal section 1115 waiver to increase Medicaid income eligibility.

 

     Your Committee finds that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act offers states the option to implement a Basic Health Program that would expand health coverage for certain low income persons who are not eligible for Medicaid.  Your Committee also finds that a Basic Health Program also offers an opportunity for the State to receive financial support from the federal government for this public health program.  However, complete federal guidance on the administration of a Basic Health Program is not yet available, and many questions remain unanswered before the State may make an informed decision whether to create such a program.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee believes that the Department of Human Services should evaluate whether a Basic Health Program would be appropriate and effective for Hawaii once federal guidance is available.  Your Committee also believes that the Department should consider the costs and benefits of amending the federal section 1115 waiver to raise the Medicaid income eligibility ceiling to provide the widest health care coverage.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Changing references to the "Basic Health Plan" throughout the measure, including the title, to "Basic Health Program" to conform with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 82, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 82, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

		____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair