REPORT TITLE:
Medically Underserved


DESCRIPTION:
Appropriates funds to support health care for the medically
underserved. (HB2394 HD1)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        2394
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________


                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. 


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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that it is in the best
 
 2 interests of the State to ensure access to primary and preventive
 
 3 health care for its residents.  In addition to a healthier
 
 4 population, ensured access also reduces state expenditures
 
 5 arising from hospital and emergency room services for preventable
 
 6 injuries or illnesses.
 
 7      The legislature further finds that Hawaii's system of
 
 8 nonprofit, community-based, health care providers specialize in
 
 9 preventive care for those who are denied care due to cultural or
 
10 socio-economic conditions.  These nonprofit, community-based,
 
11 health care providers also contribute greatly to the economies of
 
12 the depressed areas they serve, being directly or indirectly
 
13 responsible for annually adding $75,000,000 and nine hundred jobs
 
14 to the local economy.
 
15      The legislature further finds that adequate financial
 
16 support for this system of nonprofit, community-based, health
 
17 care providers is constantly threatened by a lack of resources as
 
18 it is established for those who cannot afford to pay for care.
 

 
Page 2                                                     2394
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to ensure
 
 2 the enduring viability of this nonprofit, community-based, health
 
 3 care system to maintain cost-effective care for the uninsured.
 
 4      SECTION 2.  The department of health may provide resources
 
 5 to nonprofit, community-based, health care providers for caring
 
 6 for the uninsured.  Resources may include in-kind staffing
 
 7 support as well as funding.  Distribution of funds may be on a
 
 8 "per visit" basis, taking into consideration need on all islands.  
 
 9      Appropriate nonprofit, community-based, health care
 
10 providers may include community health centers, school-based
 
11 clinics, and the Care-A-Van program for the homeless.
 
12      SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general
 
13 revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much
 
14 thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000-2001 for health
 
15 care for the medically underserved.
 
16      SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
 
17 department of health for the purposes of this Act.
 
18      SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2000.