HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1825
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the HAWAII state health insurance ASSISTANCE program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the federal medicare program is essential to ensuring health care coverage for older adults and persons with disabilities in the State. However, the rules and procedures of medicare are complex and difficult to navigate. The legislature further finds that the Hawaii state health insurance assistance program (SHIP) is a critical program administered by the department of health executive office of aging that assists those individuals who qualify for medicare to navigate the program and make informed health insurance decisions.

SHIP is staffed by only two full time employees who train a team of over eighty dedicated volunteers to provide specialized assistance to the public free of charge. Currently, the SHIP program employees are fully paid for with federal funds, which could be reduced or even eliminated based on federal policymaking. Therefore, the legislature finds that state support for SHIP would ensure the stability and continuity of the program.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to SHIP to expand the program by:

(1) Contracting with third party service providers and staffing consultants; and

(2) Recruiting more volunteers.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to expand the Hawaii state health insurance assistance program by:

(1) Contracting with third party service providers and staffing consultants; and

(2) Recruiting more volunteers.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the executive office on aging for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to expand the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program by: (1) contracting with third party service providers and staffing consultants and (2) recruiting more volunteers.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.