Legislative progress in Hawaii?

Hawaii is trying to pass a bill similar to our Governor's All Kids plan. The excerpts below from an article in the Star Bulletin don't give a lot of details, but it does mention that immigrants are covered. The legislator's comment that the funding "might not be enough to pay for the program if kids are picked up with serious medical problems" is a little troubling. They've also created a commission to explore universal health care.

Cigarette tax: $1.20 hike proposed
Also before legislators is universal medical coverage for children
By Helen Altonn

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The Keiki Care bill agreed to yesterday would establish a three-year pilot program of health coverage for children ineligible for any state or federal health care coverage. The state and the Hawaii Medical Service Association would split costs of about $600,000 each.

A family earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level -- about $60,000 for a family of four -- would qualify, said House Health Chairman Dennis Arakaki.

"This is a big, big step for universal health," said Senate Human Services Chairwoman Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, Kalihi-Liliha) after agreement on the children's health insurance program (HB 3116).

Arakaki (D, Alewa Heights-Kalihi Valley) said 10,000 Isle children still have no health insurance.

Because of the high cost of living, many families above 200 percent of the poverty level, who are ineligible for the state's QUEST health program, cannot afford health insurance for their children, said Beth Giesting, Hawaii Primary Care Association executive director.

The Keiki Care program will be free to any families, including immigrants, she said. The $1.2 million fund might not be enough to pay for the program if kids are picked up with serious medical problems, she said. "But at least they will be getting some care."

The conferees also approved a bill that would establish a Hawaii Health Commission to develop a universal-care plan. "The goal is to provide health care for all Hawaii's people," Arakaki said. "It is a vision, but you can't get anywhere without vision."

The conferees also approved a bill that would establish a Hawaii Health Commission to develop a universal-care plan. "The goal is to provide health care for all Hawaii's people," Arakaki said. "It is a vision, but you can't get anywhere without vision.

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