HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

527

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to mobile clinics.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that homelessness continues to be one of the State's most significant and challenging social problems.  According to the 2016 Hawaii statewide homeless point-in-time count conducted in January 2016, there are 7,921 homeless individuals in the State, an overall increase of four per cent from 2015.  Homeless persons face a myriad of issues, including general health issues, mental illness, and substance abuse.  These issues affecting homeless persons also impact the general population through the costs of social and health care services.  In fiscal years 2014 and 2015, The Queen's Medical Center reported treating 3,441 patients who were homeless.  Treating these homeless individuals is sometimes uncompensated, as is the case with an unsheltered patient who reportedly received treatment 12,271 times over two years, which cost The Queen's Medical Center more than $5,000,000 per year.

     The legislature further finds that mobile clinics are increasing in popularity across the nation as government entities find ways to address the health care needs of the homeless population.  In places such as Denver, Colorado; Seattle, Washington; and San Jose, California, mobile clinics offer a variety of free health care services for local homeless populations, saving significant costs on emergency room visits.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for establishing, staffing, and operating two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to purchase, staff, and operate two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population; provided that:

     (1)  The staff shall include, at minimum, one doctor, one nurse, one pharmacist, and one psychiatrist and may include staff as needed, including students pursing a degree in medicine or nursing; and

     (2)  The mobile clinics may provide, at minimum, the following services:

         (A)  Non-emergency medical services for chronic, acute, and episodic conditions;

         (B)  Sexually transmitted diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis testing;

         (C)  Family planning;

         (D)  Child and family services;

         (E)  Behavioral health and substance abuse services;

         (F)  Mental health services;

         (G)  Dental care;

         (H)  Referral services;

         (I)  Shower and laundry services;

         (J)  Clean clothing;

         (K)  Health insurance enrollment;

         (L)  Pharmacy services; and

         (M)  Other assistance services.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Mobile Clinic; Homeless; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for establishing, staffing, and operating two mobile clinics to serve the homeless population.

 

 

 

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