Report Title:

Appropriations; Delinking Welfare and Medical Assistance

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation to the department of human services for TANF delinking activities that attract an enhanced federal match up to ninety per cent.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

54

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to human services.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Congress has appropriated funds to aid Hawaii to facilitate the delinking of welfare and medical assistance. These funds are to be used to improve outreach to and communications with program beneficiaries as well as to improve departmental administrative procedures.

The legislature further finds that, as the QUEST rolls have decreased and the numbers of uninsured have increased, there is a considerable need to reach out to families at risk and educate them about eligibility and the application process for medical assistance.

The legislature further finds that federal law requires states to support outstationing eligibility activities at all federally qualified health center and rural health center locations and at other sites likely to attract families eligible for public medical assistance and that Hawaii is not currently in compliance with this directive.

The legislature further finds that federal funds are available to match up to ninety per cent of the cost of approved delinking activities including outreach, application assistance, and improving the readability of materials. Federal funds are available to match up to seventy-five per cent of costs incurred to improve department computer software systems and hire additional staff

The purpose of this Act is to maximize federal funds to undertake activities to ensure that eligible families are enrolled in medical assistance programs.

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 2001-2002 and the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to undertake outreach and application assistance, improving materials, educating consumers and providers, improving internal processes and other activities approved for enhanced federal match.

SECTION 3. The sums 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, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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