Recent cuts to state health care programs covering citizens of COFA Nations have raised concerns that treatments such as kidney dialysis and chemotherapy will no longer be available. The group Micronesians United recently gathered at the Hawai‘i State Capitol to protest the cuts.

“For those suffering from kidney disease or cancer, this is a true health care crisis,” said Senator English. “It is not sufficient to just say, ‘Well, we’re not going to cover that anymore.’ My colleagues and I want to know about how this decision was made, what the true effects are going to be, and where we are going from here.”

Proposed federal legislation could provide funding to cover treatments for Compact Nation citizens. Currently, Hawai‘i provides health care to Compact Nation citizens without federal matching funds. Under the federal proposal introduced by Congressman Neil Abercrombie, new funding would be provided for Medicaid expenses related to providing health care to Compact Nation Citizens.

A new health care program implemented by the State reduces benefits to citizens of the Compact of Free Association nations. On Tuesday, however, Federal Judge J. Michael Seabright issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state from disenrolling COFA residents from the State-funded health programs in which they were participating prior to August 1, 2009. The order also required the state to re-enroll all COFA residents who were disenrolled based on their status as COFA residents, in the applicable QUEST, QUEST-Net, QUEST-ACE, QexA, SHOTT, or fee-for-service programs.

“Judge Seabright’s decision came at a critical time for those in our community who were about to lose life-saving medical treatments. However, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the judge issued a temporary restraining order, and will hear a motion for a more permanent injunction on October 19,” said Senator English. He added, “It is possible that six weeks from now we will find ourselves in the same situation we were in on Monday, with people wondering how they will pay for their dialysis and chemotherapy.”

The committe also received an update on the status of federal legislation that would increase Medicaid reimbursements to the state, reducing the impact of providing health care services to COFA residents.

A number of COFA dignitaries and experts submitted testimony including:

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM):
Hon. Lorin Robert, Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Hon. Vita Skilling, Secretary of Health and Social Services; His Excellency Yosiwo P. George, FSM Ambassador to the United States; Mr. James Naich, Deputy Chief of Mission, FSM Embassy in Washington, DC; Mr. Akillino H. Susaia, FSM Consul General, State of Hawai‘i; and Mr. Daniel Rescue, FSM Consulate Hawai‘i Staff.

Republic of the Marshall Islands:
Hon. John Silk, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Noda Lojkar, Consul General, Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

State of Hawai‘i:
Dr. Kenneth Fink, Administrator, MED-QUEST Division, Department of Human Services.

Medical community:
Dr. Neal Palafox, Chair, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine & Community Health; Dr. Sheldon Riklon, member, Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition. Organization: Mr. William J. Swain, representing Pa Emman Kabjere.

The Compact of Free Association Nations include the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

“We encourage the people of the Aiea/Pearl City area to join us to discuss how developments in the global financial crisis and widening global downturn have seriously impacted the Hawai‘i economy,” said Senator Nishihara.

Presenters will include Dr. Carl Bonham, Associate Professor of Economics and Executive Director of the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization (UHERO); and Dr. Paul Brewbaker, Senior Economic Advisor, Bank of Hawai‘i.

In addition to the presenters, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Chair, Senate Committee on Ways & Means and her staff will explain the Executive Budget as submitted by the governor. “This is a great opportunity to express your ideas on how to balance the State budget,” said Senator Kim.

Contact Senator Nishihara’s office at 586-6970 for more information.

State Senators who oversee Hawai‘i’s tourism industry today called on the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority to reverse its decision to slash funding for high-visibility visitor programs. Senator Clarence Nishihara, chair of the Senate Tourism Committee, and Senator Donna Mercado Kim, who was vice-chair of the Tourism Committee before being named to head the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee earlier this week, maintain that the cuts will threaten the state’s efforts to attract repeat visitors. They also say that this appears to be an effort by Governor Linda Lingle to micro-manage tourism.

The Senators were responding to a decision by the Tourism Authority on Thursday to cut special fund spending by about $17 million, which will threaten programs that provide Hawaiian entertainment and greeters at airports and harbors, as well as Sunset on the Beach, evening hula and torch-lighting in Waikiki, and the Waikiki by Moonlight event.

“These are high-visibility events that build warm and lasting memories for our visitors,” said Senator Nishihara. “They make Hawai‘i someplace special, and encourage visitors to come back.