HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 565 Draft 01 2018-2020 ktjy,
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 565 20
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HONORABLE DAVID Y. IGE, GOVERNOR OF
THE STATE OF HAWAII, TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' NEW HEALTHCARE CONTRACT
AWARDS UNTIL RAMIFICATIONS FOR HAWAII COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE
BEEN CONSIDERED AND IMPACTS ASSESSED IN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT
PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS.
WHEREAS, in August 2019, the State Department of Human Services ("DHS") issued a
Request for Proposals ("RFP") for the new Quest Integration ("QI") with the intent of securing
contracts for the provision of covered services to eligible Medicaid and Children's Health
Insurance Program members for necessary medical, behavioral health, and long-term services
and support in a fully risk-based, managed-care environment; and
WHEREAS,prior to the RFP publication, there was no preliminary notice that DHS
intended to reduce from five to two the number of statewide health plans that are available to
service QI beneficiaries outside of O`ahu; and
WHEREAS, Hawai`i County residents and healthcare representatives had no opportunity
to provide public comments or express valid concerns regarding the impact Hawaii County
residents would face due to the decision by DHS to reduce the number of statewide health plans
available to QI beneficiaries; and
WHEREAS, AlohaCare's 12,040 members and `Ohana Health Plan's 7,346 members in
Hawai`i County will be impacted and required to transition to a new health plan and potentially
find a new physician; and
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2020, when the new DHS contracts are scheduled to take effect,
a total of 19,386 beneficiaries with AlohaCare and `Ghana Health Plan in Hawaii County will
be displaced from their current healthcare plans, resulting in reduced access and lack of
healthcare continuity; and
WHEREAS, with the exception of(Tabu,there is a statewide physician shortage, which
is especially pronounced in Hawaii County, and existing physicians in Hawaii County lack the
adequate capacity to accept thousands of additional patients; and
WHEREAS, it is absolutely critical and paramount, especially in light of the COVID-19
(coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, that uninterrupted access to healthcare be maintained for
residents of the State of Hawai`i; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that Hawai`i County QI beneficiaries, the providers who
care for them, and other stakeholders be afforded the opportunity for public discourse with DHS
relating to impacts on their healthcare; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
supports fairness and equity of healthcare choices for residents of the State of Hawai`i,
specifically the counties of Hawai`i, Maui, and Kaua`i, which is paramount to the health, safety,
and wellbeing of its citizens.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor of the State
of Hawai`i, is urged to delay the July 1, 2020, implementation date of the Department of Human
Services' healthcare contracts that were awarded on January 22, 2020, to Hawai`i Medical
Services Association, United HealthCare, AlohaCare, and the Ghana Health Plan until such time
those contracts have been appropriately considered in open and transparent public meetings
wherein all options are carefully considered and the ramifications of those contracts fully
discussed.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Honorable David Y. Ige, Governor of the State of Hawai`i; Pankaj Bhanot,
Director of the Department of Human Services, State of Hawai`i; the Honorable Scott K. Saiki,
Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi, President of the
Senate; and the Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor of the County of Hawai`i.
Hilo 8th
Dated at Hawai`i, this day of April , 20 20 .
INTRODUCED BY:
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COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
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AttA
COUNCIL — B'- Y OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG X
DAVID X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF X
the vote indicated to the right hereof 4dopted ko2O COUNCIL of the KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
County of Hawaii on AjJ Z5S, L
KIERKIEWICZ X
LEE LOY X
ATTEST: POINDEXTER X
RICHARDS X
VILLEGAS X
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Alt 14, Reference:
C-852/Waived GREDC
COUNC CLE' HAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OF CER RESOLUTION NO. 565 20
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