Hawaii Senate Bill SCR132

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Engrossed: 4/5/23
• Refer: 4/11/23
• Report Pass: 4/17/23
• Refer: 4/17/23
• Report Pass: 4/24/23
• Passed: 4/25/23

Caption

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.

Impact

The resolution highlights the disparity in reimbursement rates between Med-QUEST and other public payors in Hawaii, which pay substantially more for ABA services. This has led to challenges for service providers in hiring and retaining qualified professionals, resulting in a growing demand for services that cannot be met. As families report difficulties in accessing timely and adequate services, the resolution calls for action to address these disparities to ensure that beneficiaries receive the necessary care and support.

Summary

SCR132 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the Thirty-second Legislature of Hawaii, which calls for the Department of Human Services' Med-QUEST Division to establish adequate provider rates for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services. The resolution acknowledges that ABA is a crucial service for Med-QUEST beneficiaries under the age of twenty-one diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. It emphasizes the necessity of adjusting reimbursement rates that have remained stagnant since 2015, despite significant increases in wages and costs of living in the state.

Contention

Proponents of SCR132 argue that without proper adjustments to the reimbursement rates, the quality and availability of ABA services will continue to decline, adversely affecting the outcomes for children with autism. The resolution also calls for an assessment of current reimbursement rates, which may lead to proposals for new legislation aimed at creating a more equitable system for ABA service providers. However, potential challenges may arise regarding budget allocations and priorities within the state's social services funding.