REPORT TITLE:
Developmentally Disabled


DESCRIPTION:
Appropriates funds to match the federal Title XIX Medicaid funds
for the developmentally disabled.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.889        
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that it is in the best
 
 2 interest for individuals with developmental disabilities to be
 
 3 provided with the necessary life-long supports and services,
 
 4 which are interdependent, productive, integrated, and included in
 
 5 the community.  Act 189, Session Laws of Hawaii 1995, required
 
 6 that all programs and services for individuals with developmental
 
 7 disabilities currently at Waimano training school and hospital be
 
 8 provided for in the community.  Additionally, Act 189 mandated
 
 9 the department of health to maximize state funds to match federal
 
10 funds for Title XIX programs, other governmental finance
 
11 participation programs, and private finance programs for
 
12 community-based services.
 
13      The legislature further finds that the Medicaid home- and
 
14 community-based services waiver program under the authority of
 
15 Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act was designed to allow
 
16 states to provide long-term care, supports, and services in the
 
17 community using at least fifty per cent federal dollars for
 
18 individuals with developmental disabilities who would otherwise
 
19 be institutionalized.  The program provides an array of services
 
20 such as adult day health, personal assistance, environmental
 

 
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                                     H.B. NO.889        
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 accessibility adaptations, habilitation, supported employment,
 
 2 respite care, skilled nursing, and specialized services designed
 
 3 to support the individual's right to live in the community.
 
 4      The department of health and the department of human
 
 5 services have implemented the home and community-based services
 
 6 waiver program since 1983.  There are 1,425 individuals who are
 
 7 eligible for the program, and the program presently serves
 
 8 approximately 814 individuals with developmental disabilities.
 
 9 However, there are at least 611 individuals who need services and
 
10 supports to enable them to live in the community.  The number of
 
11 individuals with developmental disabilities on the wait list
 
12 continues to grow.
 
13      The legislature also finds that the home and community-based
 
14 services waiver program positively impacts the economic well-
 
15 being of the State because of its labor-intensive nature.
 
16 Increased funding through state and federal matching dollars will
 
17 enable a greater number of individuals to be employed in the
 
18 community.
 
19      The legislature is concerned that recent statistics indicate
 
20 that Hawaii ranks forty-seventh in its level of funding for
 
21 community-based services and fiftieth in its total funding effort
 
22 for mental retardation and developmental disabilities services.
 
23 Furthermore, the home and community-based services waiver program
 

 
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                                     H.B. NO.889        
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 is underfunded, causing the State to use its dollars
 
 2 inefficiently and thereby creating missed opportunities to
 
 3 maximize federal dollars.
 
 4      The purpose of this Act is to appropriate the necessary
 
 5 state funds as matching funds to phase in 611 individuals with
 
 6 developmental disabilities during fiscal year 1999-2000 and 611
 
 7 more individuals with developmental disabilities during fiscal
 
 8 year 2000-2001 in the Title XIX Medicaid home and community-based
 
 9 services waiver program.
 
10      SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general
 
11 revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,749,860 or so much
 
12 thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 1999-2000 and the sum
 
13 of $7,502,164 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
 
14 year 2000-2001 to serve as the State's share of matching federal
 
15 Title XIX Medicaid funds for individuals with developmental
 
16 disabilities who are eligible and would benefit from the Medicaid
 
17 home and community-based services program.
 
18      SECTION 3.  The sums appropriated shall be expended by the
 
19 department of health for the purposes of this Act.
 
20      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.
 
21 
 
22                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________