HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2009

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair

Rep. Tom Brower, Vice Chair

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair

Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Vice Chair

 

NOTICE OF JOINT INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Monday, August 03, 2009

TIME:

9:00 a.m.

PLACE:

Conference Room 329

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

A G E N D A

 

The purpose of this informational briefing is to discuss the budget shortfall impacts to the State Department of Human Services (DHS); specifically to the QUEST Division, BESSD (Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division), Social Services Division, and Vocational Rehabilitation Division.

 

With regards to the QUEST Division, the Governor and the DHS administration will be asked about the $42 million medicaid cut to programs that provide health insurance to low-income adults, affecting about 233,000 Hawaii residents.  Several essential questions will be asked to the Department of Human Services and Governor; first, what is the rationale for the $42 million medicaid cut to programs that provide health care to Hawaii's needy and second, which specific adult health benefits will be eliminated due to the cuts and what impact will this have on the Medicaid patients and their care, healthcare providers and other stakeholders in the Medicaid system?

 

The briefing will also request a response from the Governor and DHS as to whether the proposed cut of $42 million in Medicaid funds (equals $120 million when Federal match is included) will jeopardize the $320 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for Hawaii?  Department on Human Services will be asked to comment on the proposed cuts and its funding for impact on healthcare for Hwaii's vulnerable adults and families.

 

The following organizations and/or individuals have been invited to participate:

 

Govenror Linda Lingle or her designee

 

The Department of Human Services

 

Ohana Health Plan

 

EverCare Health Plan

 

Healthy Start Program

 

The National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter

 

PHOCUSED

 

Representatives from the Community Care Health Centers

 

Representatives providing shelter and Temporary Restraining Orders and Protective Orders for victims and their dependents of Domestic Violence; and

 

Other individuals or organizations that provide essential public services on behalf of the State of Hawaii  who will be affected by the funding reduction  in the State Department of Human Services' budget.

 

To ensure that all testifiers will have an adequate time to speak, please limit answers and comments to 15 minutes per State Department and Administration and 10 minutes for an individual or group.

 

 

 

 

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 or email your request for an interpreter to HouseInterpreter@Capitol.hawaii.gov at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

 

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.

 

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

 

 

 

________________________________________

Senator  Suzanne Chun Oakland

Chair

 

________________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair