HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2467
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to medical assistance.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-  Medical assistance; noncitizens. (a)  The department shall provide covered noncitizens with medical assistance free of charge for the following services:

(1) Dialysis and chemotherapy that is medically necessary, as that term is defined in section 432E-1.4;

(2) At least ten physician inpatient and twelve physician outpatient visits for each benefit year.  Medical assistance under this paragraph shall not include visits for dialysis or chemotherapy treatments under paragraph (1); and

(3) At least eight drug prescriptions per month;

provided that medical assistance shall not be provided if the benefits mandated under this section are replaced by benefits provided under federal law.

(b)  For the purposes of this section, "covered noncitizen" means a legal, permanent resident of Hawaii, age nineteen or older, who:

(1) Is not a United States citizen;

(2) Entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996;

(3) Would, as a citizen of the United States, be eligible for benefits under the State's medicaid programs, including QUEST; and

(4) Is not eligible for federally funded medical assistance due to restricted eligibility rules imposed by Title XXI of the Social Security Act, the Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act of 1996, or the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985, P.L. 99-239, the Compact of Free Association between the United States and the Government of Palau, P.L. 99-658, or any other provision of federal law denying medical assistance to nonimmigrants who are citizens of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau."

     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 medical assistance for covered noncitizens.

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

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2011; provided that section 2 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Medical Assistance; Noncitizens; Pacific Islanders

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide medical assistance for dialysis, chemotherapy, inpatient and outpatient physician visits, and drug prescriptions for immigrants and noncitizens from the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.