THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1592
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL PROGRAM.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the safety and welfare of the islands' kupuna is a priority. Scams and fraudulent behaviors targeting kupuna are unacceptable and diminish kupuna's assets, dignity, and legacy.

The legislature further finds that medicare loses over $70,000,000,000 annually to fraudulent claims. Hawaii ranks first in the nation in terms of longevity with an average life expectancy of 81.3 years. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, the number of people eligible for medicare will continue to grow.

The legislature further finds that the State's senior medicare patrol program established in 1997 has a documented history of advocating, educating, and protecting Hawaii's most vulnerable population. The program was established with two temporary full-time positions and continues to provide services with just two full-time staff positions despite significant increases in scam incidences. In addition, the State's senior medicare patrol program does not limit assistance to health care fraud and abuse. The executive office on aging recognizes that other types of fraud and abuse that trick kupuna into providing personal information and money, including gift card and charity schemes; romance, caregiver, and imposter scams; and ransomware, have the potential to harm kupuna. To address increasing reports of fraud, medical billing errors, and abuse, more full-time staff positions are needed to expand the State's senior medicare patrol program and delivery of services. The additional staff will allow the program to work closely with other private and government service providers to build a wider "help net" and assist kupuna statewide.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for three additional positions within the State's senior medicare patrol program to meet the rising demand for assistance caused by increased reports of fraud, medical billing errors, and abuse.

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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist III position, one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist IV position, and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist V position within the executive office on aging for the State's senior medicare patrol program.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.

Report Title:

Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii Program; Program Specialists; Positions; Executive Office on Aging; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for three program specialist positions within the Executive Office on Aging for the State's Senior Medicare Patrol Program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

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