REPORT TITLE:
Medically Underserved


DESCRIPTION:
Appropriates funds to support health care for the medically
underserved.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2030
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   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 seventy-five million dollars and
 
14 nine hundred jobs 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.
 
19      The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to ensure
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2030
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 the enduring viability of this nonprofit, community-based,
 
 2 health-care system in order to maintain cost-effective care for
 
 3 the uninsured.
 
 4      SECTION 2.  The department of health shall 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
 
14 much thereof, as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000-2001, for
 
15 health 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.
 
19 
 
20                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________