HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

987

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 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 sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

PART II

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that the 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 budget cuts, many medicaid eligibility worker positions were restricted, slowing the process of verifying the continued eligibility of medicaid applicants and beneficiaries.  The legislature finds that 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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 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 full-time equivalent medicaid eligibility worker III position (1.0 FTE).

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

PART III

     SECTION 4.  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 2013-2014 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for physician positions, such as gastroenterologists and other needed positions that are essential and critical in serving the needs of medicaid patients.

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

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Human Services; Medicaid Eligibility Worker; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to DHS 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.

 

 

 

 

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