Funding proposed for community health centers Funding proposed for community health centers ADVERTISING By TREENA SHAPIRO Associated Press HONOLULU — Proposed changes to the Medicaid Quest program’s eligibility criteria could leave up to 5,000 Hawaii residents without health insurance in
Funding proposed for community health centers
By TREENA SHAPIRO
Associated Press
HONOLULU — Proposed changes to the Medicaid Quest program’s eligibility criteria could leave up to 5,000 Hawaii residents without health insurance in June.
The state Department of Human Services wants to reduce eligibility for participation in government subsidized health insurance programs for those with an income level below 133 percent of the federal poverty line, down from the current 200 percent eligibility ceiling.
In anticipation of federal approval, state lawmakers have been exploring ways to alleviate the burden on community health centers, which will likely see an increase in uninsured and underinsured patients.
The current proposal before the Legislature is characterized by House Health Committee Chairman Ryan Yamane as “the ultimate Christmas tree bill.” The committee on Tuesday forwarded an amended version of Senate Bill 2777, which would give more than $20 million in state funding to community health centers and other providers that offer direct patient services.
The proposed funding is spread among nonprofit and state agencies that provide medical care and social services, operate senior centers, run nutritional programs, assist with family planning and meet other needs.
Yamane, D-Waipahu-Mililani, emphasized that the bill is only intended to fund direct treatment and isn’t a way for providers to recoup costs for services that have already been provided.
“Any money distributed needs to go to the care of patients. Past due money will be restricted,” he said.
Community health centers across the state have told lawmakers that they already treat a large percentage of uninsured patients.
At Waikiki Health Center, the percentage of visits not covered by insurance rose from 24 percent in 2010 to 36 percent in 2011. The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center’s uninsured patients have held steady at 13 percent for the past five years.
The Lanai Community Health Center, the only medical facility on the island that treats uninsured patients, treated more than 1,000 people without medical coverage in 2011 — about 40 percent of its total case load.
The bill now goes to the full House and will require agreement from House and Senate money committees before it can be approved for final passage.
