Dec

07

Impact of Federal Affordable Care Act on Hawaii’s Medicaid Buy-In Program to be Discussed

Human Services / Press Releases

Honolulu–  The Medicaid Buy-In Task force will be meeting on Tuesday, December 11 at 2 p.m. in the State Capitol’s Conference Room 229 to discuss the importance of the Medicaid Buy-In program, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the program, and its implementation.

Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Rep. John Mizuno, Dr. Kenneth Fink (Department of Human Services’ Med-QUEST Division administrator), various organizations and individuals will be participating in the discussion.

The Medicaid Buy-In Task Force is a joint legislative task force created through Act 200, SLH 2012.

The purpose of the Medicaid Buy-In Task Force is to explore the development and possible implementation of a Medicaid Buy-In program based on Hawaii’s current Medicaid income and asset limits, and subject to approval by the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The Medicaid Buy-In program is meant to be available for working individuals with disabilities and shall ensure the provision of health care services to qualified individuals who are employed, as demonstrated by proof of income in the form of pay stubs, tax returns, or other official documentation, and have disabilities as defined by the Department of Human Services.

Act 200 can be found here: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/HB2415_CD1_.htm.

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Jun

26

Governor Signs Bill to Support Long-Term Care Facilities

Human Services / Press Releases

(Suzanne Chun Oakland joins Governor Abercrombie for the signing of Senate Bill 2466 into law.)

Honolulu- Today Governor Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill (SB) 2466, Relating to Long- Term Care Facilities, into law. The measure establishes the nursing facility sustainability program special fund.

The revenue generated by SB 2466 will ensure that long-term care facilitates in Hawaii will be compensated for their services to Medicaid patients and the uninsured. This measure also will assist the State and the Department of Human Services in maintaining and providing medical assistance to those in need.

Long-term care facilitates in Hawaii have faced major financial challenges in providing quality health care for our residents,” said Senate Committee on Human Services Chair Suzanne Chun Oakland. “These challenges have been largely a result of payments to Medicaid enrollees for care not covered by the actual cost of care.  This measure will help to improve the quality of life for Hawaii’s residents by making certain that Medicaid recipients have access to health care.”

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Jun

08

Governor Signs Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness Bill into Law

Articles / Human Services / Press Releases

(Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland joins Governor Abercrombie for the signing of Senate Bill 2804 into law.)

HONOLULU-  Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 2804 into law.  The measure establishes the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness under the Department of Human Services.

The Council will identify critical strategic goals and initiatives that would mitigate homelessness as well as ensure that homeless persons obtain permanent housing and become reintegrated into the community.

I am glad that the Governor signed this bill into law to further help one of the most vulnerable populations in our State.  Because Homelessness is a multifaceted and complex matter, one of the functions of the Council is to work collaboratively with various organizations to find ways we can better serve and assist individuals and families,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services.

Under the law, the Department of Human Services is required to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing safe havens in Hawaii and to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the 2013 Regular Session. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2012.

The governor also named Colin C. Kippen as the new Coordinator on Homelessness today.

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Jan

27

Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces “Caylee’s Law”

Human Services / Judiciary & Labor / Press Releases

HONOLULU—In reaction to the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz has introduced a measure that would make it a felony for a parent or guardian who fails to report a missing child 12 years old or younger within 48 hours to a law enforcement agency.  The bill, Senate Bill 2275, is being referred to as “Caylee’s Law.”

The disappearance of Florida girl Caylee Anthony sparked public debate and outrage across the country. Casey Anthony, the mother of Caylee, did not report the child’s disappearance for about a month after her disappearance.

“This bill focuses on protecting Hawaii’s keiki by ensuring that greater accountability and responsibility be placed on parents and guardians to report a missing child in a timely manner,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who represents District 22, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale‘iwa, Mokule‘ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea. “My office received a large of number emails requesting that something be done to prevent such future instances.”

The bill would also impose a duty on parents and guardians to report the death of a child or the location of a child’s corpse to law enforcement agency within 2 hours of discovery. Failure to do so would result in a felony.


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Nov

16

Informational Briefing on Office of Youth Services

Articles / Human Services

On November 16, 2011 the Office of Youth Services (OYS) provided an update on the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) consent decree in a joint briefing before the Senate and House Committees on Human Services.

Background:
OYS provides and coordinates a continuum of services and programs for youth-at-risk to prevent delinquency and reduce the incidence of recidivism. Although a core responsibility of the OYS is to manage and operate the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), the agency places great emphasis on providing and supporting “front end” prevention, diversion, and intervention services.

In 2003, the American Civil Liberties Union called public attention to the abusive conditions at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF). To avoid a lawsuit, which would have been instituted by the U.S. Attorney General, the State of Hawaii entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in February 2006. In the MOA, the State agreed to comply with 64 substantive remedial measures as outlined in the MOA. From 2006 through 2010, the State’s progress in remediating the issues identified in the MOA was evaluated regularly by monitors contracted by the DOJ. In a letter dated May 11, 2011 from the DOJ to the State’s Department of the Attorney General, the State was advised that the DOJ had closed their investigation of the conditions of confinement at HYCF.

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Oct

31

Senate and House Hold Info Brief on Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation

Articles / Human Services

On October 27, 2011, the Senate and House Committees on Human Services held a joint informational briefing to discuss concerns with elder abuse and financial exploitation in Hawaii. Committee Chairs Senator Chun Oakland and Representative John M. Mizuno held the meeting.

According to the Executive Office on Aging, by year 2020, one in four Hawaii residents will be age 60 or older. Hawaii’s elderly population is graying faster than any other state in the union.

Consumer protection issues dealing with Hawaii’s seniors, such as but not limited to elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation were among topics of discussion at the briefing. Several organizations were invited and attended the briefing to provide the committees with information and updates.

At the conclusion of the briefing, Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland and Representative John M. Mizuno will summarize the suggested solutions ascertained from this briefing to better address protective policy for Hawaii’s elderly. The Committee Chairs may also identify future legislation aimed at reducing elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

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Jul

27

Informational Briefing on Medicaid to be Held at State Capitol

Articles / Human Services / Press Releases

(Honolulu) – The State House and Senate Committees on Human Services will be holding a joint informational briefing to receive updates from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Med QUEST Division on some changes being proposed and/or implemented by DHS as they relate to Medicaid programs. Members of the public are also invited to attend the hearing regarding any issues that may have arisen or may need attention in the provision of health services covered by Medicaid.

The Informational Briefing will be held on Friday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 329, at the State Capitol.

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, said “We hope local residents will show up at the hearing to listen to these changes that could impact Medicaid, and to express their ideas and comments directly to the their legislators and the Human Services people who administer Medicaid.”

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