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

 

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

 

DATE:

Thursday, August 20, 2009

TIME:

10:00 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 State's new health plan "Basic Health Hawaii," which becomes effective September 1, 2009.  The “Basic Health Hawaii” program reduces coverage to 12 outpatient doctor visits, 10 hospital days, emergency medical and dental care for 7,500 Pacific Islanders. This is being done to cut $15 million annually from the State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services' budget.

 

The 7,500 Pacific Islanders affected by the new plan are from nations that are parties to the Compacts of Free Association, or former U.S. Trust Territories that include the Federal States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.  This new plan also affects noncitizen residents in Hawaii.

 

The briefing will also focus on concerns and allegations of  unethical and improper acts by case management agencies under the Department of Human Services.  Such concerns may seriously affect the health and safety of the elderly under the care of Community Care Foster Homes.  Moreover, concerns with late payment or failure to receive payment from Healthcare providers under DHS will be discussed, as the result of such late payments or non-payments has the devastating effect of closing several CCFHs.  Finally, a review on "transfer trauma" will be discussed as it remains an important issue for Hawaii's elderly.

 

The Department of Human Services will be asked to comment on the proposed cuts and the adverse impact on healthcare for Hawaii's vulnerable adults and families.

 

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

 

Members of Hawaii's Congress or their designee

 

Governor Linda Lingle or her designee

 

The Department of Human Services

 

Adult Protective Services, under DHS

 

State Attorney General's Office

 

State's Long Term Ombudsman

 

The National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter

 

Micronesians United

 

PHOCUSED

 

Representatives from the Community Care Health Centers

 

Affected Dialysis and Chemotherapy patients

 

American Cancer Society, Pacific Chapter

 

National Kidney Foundation, Hawaii Chapter

 

Ruthie Agbayani, Community Care Foster Homes

 

Mila Ka'ahaanui, Hawaii Coalition of Caregivers Association

 

Lani Akee, President, Adult Foster Homes Association

 

Myriam Tabaniag, President, Adult Residential Care Homes

 

Hawaii Disability Rights Center

 

Ohana Health Plan

 

EverCare Health Plan

 

Community Ties of America

 

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 have adequate time to speak, please limit answers and comments to 10 minutes per State Department and Administration and 5 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.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. John M. Mizuno

Chair

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker of the House