Report Title:

Disproportionate Share Hospital Allowance; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to match federal funding for the disproportionate share hospital allowance.  (CD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2041
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

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

     SECTION 1.  In the past, the legislature has recognized the importance of medicaid coverage for the State's most vulnerable populations, and has acted to ensure that health care payments made with state funds or controlled by the State are sufficient to cover the actual costs of the care provided.  Through the continued efforts of Hawaii's congressional delegation, a second federal medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) appropriation of $7,500,000 has been secured for Hawaii for 2008.  State funds are needed to match this grant.  Together, the combined funding shall help to provide continuing health care in our communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to meet rising health care costs and ensure that Hawaii's residents have continued access to quality health care by appropriating funds for the State's portion of the federal disproportionate share hospital allowance.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $5,774,340 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the State's portion of the federal disproportionate share hospital allowance.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.