Bill > SB715

This bill addresses funding and improvements for Medicaid home- and community-based services (HCBS) in Hawaii, focusing on addressing long-term care challenges revealed by a comprehensive rate study conducted by the med-QUEST division of the Department of Human Services. The legislation responds to pandemic-induced changes in healthcare delivery, shifting patient preferences towards home and community-based care, and workforce challenges in the long-term care sector. Specifically, the bill appropriates an unspecified amount of general state revenue for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to achieve full funding status for Medicaid HCBS, with the requirement that the Department of Human Services maximize federal matching funds and explore all potential funding sources, including private grants, before using state general revenues. The bill emphasizes the importance of supporting providers who serve high-utilization groups, such as case management agencies, community care foster family homes, adult residential care homes, and adult day health centers, and aims to create a more sustainable reimbursement model that supports livable wages, patient care quality, and adapts to evolving healthcare needs. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and reflects a strategic approach to addressing long-term care challenges in the state.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=715&year=2026