THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2934
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

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

     SECTION 1.  The United States government has entered into agreements with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compact of Free Association (COFA).  These agreements enable citizens of these nations to freely enter the United States, and many have chosen to immigrate to Hawaii.  Those low‑income COFA migrants who qualify for medicaid have been covered by QUEST, which provides comprehensive health care coverage.

     The department of human services intends to create basic health Hawaii, a health plan with limited coverage, and to move COFA migrants to this new health plan.  A community concern has been raised because the limited benefits provided by basic health Hawaii would likely not provide the medical care needed by more than an estimated one hundred COFA migrants who require hemodialysis or chemotherapy.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to keep COFA migrants in the comprehensive QUEST program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for comprehensive QUEST coverage for Compact of Free Association migrants who qualify for medicaid.

     SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

QUEST; COFA Nations; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates general funds to pay for QUEST coverage for citizens of compact of free association nations.

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