The final day of the 2022 legislative assembly is currently within one month. With that in mind, this “Five Things We’re Focusing on” covers details of on-the-go health policies and a conversation about the latest budgets in the Houses of Parliament.
thank you for reading!
Emily Boger
Current status of reform
1. Senate Committee to vote for budget
The Senate Committee on Methods and Means will vote for a $ 16 billion state operating budget later this week. The House unanimously passed the budget last month and plans to fund health initiatives such as the Kupuna Care Program, new positions in the Nursing Ombudsman Office, and early intervention services.
At a hearing on March 22, Senators considered government agency budget requests and expressed concern, including delays in opening a new Hawaii State Hospital psychiatric facility. DOH currently has a $ 5.3 million demand for hospital fire extinguishing systems. Improvements to facilities such as safer door hardware and shower installations were part of the delay, state accounting auditor Curt Otaguro said in a hearing. However, he said the department’s construction contractors are working to address these amendments at no additional cost to the state.
2. Renewal of migration in the Oahu region
Financial decisions have delayed the transition of the Oahu community health system to the Ministry of Health. This was originally scheduled for the end of this year. On Tuesday morning, the Senate Committee on Methods and Means voted in favor of Bill 1579, which extended the deadline for transition and required it to be reported to Congress before the 2025 session.
One workgroup estimates that the cost of the migration is $ 10.3 million and the annual cost after the migration is $ 5 million, and DOH testifies against the migration. “I don’t think we’ll get more than we’ve achieved for $ 10.3 million,” Marian Tsuji, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Health, said in a hearing, but DOH will continue to work together. Regardless of the parliamentary decision that revealed the Oahu region.
3. Invoice on the move
State legislators are working to pass dozens of health bills in preparation for Friday’s second deck deadline. Recent legislative moves in Congress include policies dealing with telemedicine, substance use, and local health care workers.
Last week, US Parliamentary Resolution 89, which calls on DOH to diversify its workforce by hiring Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, unanimously passed the House Committee on Health, Social Welfare, and Homelessness. In the Senate, the Commission on Methods and Means recommended a bill to establish a community health task force within the DOH. Yesterday, the Ways & Means Commission passed Senate Resolution 206, which calls for the reinstatement of funding for certain substance-use disorder treatment organizations.
4. DHS issues RFP for Kōkua service
Last week, through the Med-QUEST program, DHS issued an RFP looking for an organization to provide outreach, health insurance support, and other coqua services to poorly serviced people in Hawaii. The agreement will award multiple winners a total of $ 1.45 million annually from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.
This department specifically seeks support for those who are facing challenges in the insurance application and enrollment process “due to language, culture, or other socio-economic factors.” RFPs occur as the state continues to prepare for the Medicaid re-decision process. This process begins in earnest at the end of a federal public health emergency. Medicaid registrations in Hawaii have increased by 35% since the start of the pandemic.
5. Details about Biden’s budget and the future of PHE
State of Reform Columnist Jim Capreta’s recent column covers topics related to ongoing state and federal health policy conversations, especially in a timely manner. In this column, he reviews the status of the State of Emergency of Public Health and the various flexibility implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his column, published last week, Capreta jumps into the details of the “most important recommendations” related to healthcare contained in the Biden administration’s updated budget plan. He emphasizes pandemic protection, buildback better plans, mental health services, and ARPA-H funding prospects.
