Bill Text: HI SB425 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Medicaid; HMS; QUEST; Wellness; Pilot Program; Task Force; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-03-17 - (H) The committee(s) recommends that the measure be deferred. [SB425 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SB425-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	425
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		S.D. 3
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

Part I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii must comply with federal health reform legislation requirements by 2014, including mandating physician reimbursements for outcomes rather than transactions.  The legislature is therefore interested in authorizing and evaluating health and wellness alternatives that reduce the incidence of chronic disease, support medicaid and QUEST recipients in adopting and maintaining healthier lifestyles, and reduce the costs of health care expenditures associated with emergency care and other hospital-based treatments for avoidable chronic diseases.

     The legislature further finds that various programs and practices can be used for inspiration when developing a pilot program.  Kokua Kalihi Valley's healthy eating and lifestyle program is a culturally-informed diabetes self-management education class aimed at persons of Pacific descent that includes a communal garden component in the program.  This and other land-based programs that focus on wellness activities may be able to prevent or reduce chronic illness.  Integrating nutrition, exercise, and medical best practices not currently covered by health insurance can be used to achieve significant and positive results for patient health.  Education, counseling, and other best practices not currently covered by health insurance can be used to reduce childhood obesity.  The legislature finds that childhood obesity has increased significantly in Hawaii and across the nation, and must be addressed in a significant way in order to avoid an epidemic of early onset diabetes and other chronic diseases.  Finally, complementary and alternative medicine and healing can be used to promote good health and wellness.

     The legislature also finds that during the last legislative session, QUEST faced an extensive budgetary shortfall.  Fortunately, the legislature was able to pass an emergency appropriation measure so that contracted QUEST plans would continue to receive payment in a timely manner.  The legislature believes it would be prudent to establish a legislative task force to examine issues relating to medicaid shortfalls, and to work toward a goal of preventing future shortfalls in the program.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish a wellness pilot program within medicaid; and

     (2)  Establish a joint legislative task force on medicaid.

Part II

     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 2011-2012 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for the creation of a wellness pilot program for medicaid recipients or QUEST members.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

     SECTION 3.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

JOINT LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON MEDICAID

     §   -1  Joint legislative task force on medicaid; authority to establish.  (a)  The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives may, from time to time, convene a joint legislative task force on medicaid to examine issues relating to medicaid shortfalls, including the medicaid buy-in program for working people with disabilities.

     (b)  The chairs of the standing committees that have jurisdiction over human services of the respective houses of the legislature shall co-chair the task force.

     (c)  The task force shall consist of the following:

     (1)  Representatives from the standing committees that have jurisdiction over human services of the respective houses of the legislature;

     (2)  The director of human services, or the director's designee;

     (3)  The director of health, or the director's designee; and

     (4)  The director of commerce and consumer affairs, or the director's designee.

     (d)  A representative of the following entities shall be invited to serve on the task force:

     (1)  Hawaii Medical Service Association;

     (2)  Kaiser Permanente;

     (3)  AlohaCare;

     (4)  Ohana Health Plan;

     (5)  Evercare;

     (6)  Hawaii Primary Care Association;

     (7)  Healthcare Association of Hawaii;

     (8)  Hawaii Medical Association;

     (9)  Kalihi-Palama Health Center;

    (10)  Hawaii Medical Center;

    (11)  Mental Health America of Hawaii;

    (12)  Hawaii Diatectic Association;

    (13)  Faith Action for Community Equity Hawaii;

    (14)  PHOCUSED; and

    (15)  AARP Hawaii.

     (e)  The task force may conduct meetings, briefings, and hearings, as appropriate, and recommend legislation pursuant thereto."

PART IV

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

Report Title:

Medicaid; HMS; QUEST; Wellness; Pilot Program; Task Force; Appropriation

 

Description:

Creates a wellness pilot program within medicaid; appropriates funds.  Establishes a joint legislative task force to examine issues relating to medicaid shortfalls.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD3)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.