HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2676

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  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 2012-2013 for the purpose of restoring staff positions within the department of human services on the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai that were eliminated by the department in response to budget reductions during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

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

PART II

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that rate of enrollment for medicaid is quickly growing in Hawaii and across the nation.  Medicaid services in Hawaii alone cost an estimated $1,000,000,000 per year.  The legislature further finds that medicaid is an important program and a safety net for the community, especially children and senior citizens.  However, due to recent budget cuts, many medicaid eligibility worker positions were restricted, slowing the process of verifying the continued eligibility of medicaid applicants and beneficiaries.  As many as eight thousand medicaid recipients in Hawaii may be ineligible for services.

     The purpose of this part is to provide funding for additional medicaid eligibility workers to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the medicaid program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 to fund three full-time equivalent medicaid eligibility worker I positions (3.0 FTE), two full-time equivalent medicaid eligibility worker II positions (2.0 FTE), and one medicaid eligibility worker III position (1.0 FTE).

     SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

     SECTION 5.  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 2012-2013 for physician positions, such as gastroenterologists and other needed positions, that are essential and critical in serving the needs of medicaid patients.

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

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Human Services; Appropriation; Medicaid Eligibility Worker; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to restore staff positions on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai that were eliminated during the 2010-2011 fiscal year.  Makes an appropriation for six full-time medicaid eligibility workers.  Makes an appropriation for physician positions that are essential and critical in serving the needs of Medicaid patients.  Effective July 1, 2050.  (HB2676 HD1)

 

 

 

 

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