Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR191

Introduced
3/7/25  

Caption

Urging The Department Of Human Services To Increase Reimbursement Rates To Primary Care Physicians For Services To Med-quest Recipients.

Impact

If implemented, SR191 could lead to a stabilization of primary care services for Med-QUEST recipients in Hawaii. By increasing reimbursement rates, the state aims to incentivize more physicians to accept these patients and remain in practice. The resolution suggests that without meaningful financial support, it may be impossible for providers to offer services sustainably, ultimately jeopardizing access to care for vulnerable populations including low-income and uninsured people who depend on Med-QUEST for their healthcare needs.

Summary

Senate Resolution 191 (SR191) urges the Department of Human Services in Hawaii to increase reimbursement rates for primary care physicians who provide services to Med-QUEST recipients. The resolution addresses the significant financial challenges faced by physicians in the current healthcare environment, highlighting the inadequacy of current reimbursement rates which do not keep pace with cost of living increases or acknowledge the years of experience of the providers. This situation has led to many physicians opting out of private practice, thus diminishing the number of available practitioners to care for patients reliant on these plans.

Contention

Despite the potential benefits of increased reimbursement rates, there may be contention regarding the state’s budgetary priorities and the impact of such increases on fiscal resources. Discussions could arise concerning whether funding can be allocated for these increases without affecting other vital public services. Additionally, there may be debate over how increased reimbursements should be structured and who qualifies, as well as concerns about whether this would lead to improved healthcare outcomes or simply higher costs for the state.

Companion Bills

HI SCR216

Same As Urging The Department Of Human Services To Increase Reimbursement Rates To Primary Care Physicians For Services To Med-quest Recipients.

Previously Filed As

HI SR172

Urging The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Advocate That The State Increase Medicaid Reimbursements To Dentists And, Upon An Increase Approval, To Proactively Inform Both Dental Service Providers And Medicaid Beneficiaries Of New Rate Plans.

HI SCR188

Urging The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Advocate That The State Increase Medicaid Reimbursements To Dentists And, Upon An Increase Approval, To Proactively Inform Both Dental Service Providers And Medicaid Beneficiaries Of New Rate Plans.

HI SR152

Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Take Steps Necessary To Ensure That Adequate Provider Rates Are Established For Applied Behavior Analysis Services.

HI SCR132

Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Take Steps Necessary To Ensure That Adequate Provider Rates Are Established For Applied Behavior Analysis Services.

HI HCR203

Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Take Steps Necessary To Ensure That Adequate Provider Rates Are Established For Applied Behavior Analysis Services.

HI HR207

Requesting The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Take Steps Necessary To Ensure That Adequate Provider Rates Are Established For Applied Behavior Analysis Services.

HI SR4

Requesting The Department Of Human Services Med-quest Division To Expand The Types Of Qualified Providers Allowed To Provide Lactation Consultant Services For The Medicaid Population In The State.

HI HCR94

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Conduct A Study On The Feasibility Of Increasing The Medicaid Reimbursement Payment Rate For Hawaii's Community Care Foster Family Homes And Expanded Adult Residential Care Homes For Medicaid Clients In 2032 And Every Ten Years Thereafter.

HI SCR6

Requesting The Department Of Human Services Med-quest Division, In Collaboration With The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs, To Expand The Types Of Qualified Providers Allowed To Provide Lactation Consultant Services For The Medicaid Population In The State.

HI HCR7

Requesting The Department Of Human Services Med-quest Division, In Collaboration With The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs, To Expand The Types Of Qualified Providers Allowed To Provide Lactation Consultant Services For The Medicaid Population In The State.

Similar Bills

CA AB719

Endangered wildlife: crocodiles and alligators.

NV AB511

Revises provisions relating to insurance. (BDR 57-697)

MA H4295

To promote transparent and equitable reimbursement for services provided by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

HI SCR216

Urging The Department Of Human Services To Increase Reimbursement Rates To Primary Care Physicians For Services To Med-quest Recipients.

RI H5256

Provides for equal pay for healthcare providers.

NV AB393

Establishes the Doctors for Nevada Program to attract providers of health care to this State. (BDR 18-207)

MA S783

To promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement

MA H1142

To promote increased access to patient care through equitable reimbursement