HB 1973

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1973
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.D. 1
C.D. 1
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION 1.� The
legislature finds that an estimated twenty‑five thousand
elderly individuals in Hawaii who require in‑home health care or support
services and do not qualify for existing programs, such as medicaid, cannot
afford in‑home care services.
���� Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a one-year KupunAloha pilot program within the department of health
to provide in-home health care and support services for individuals who do not
qualify for existing government programs and cannot otherwise afford these
services.
���� SECTION 2.�
(a)� There is established within
the department of health a one-year KupunAloha pilot program to provide in-home
health care and support services for eligible individuals who do not otherwise
qualify for government assistance for these services.
���� (b)�
In implementing the pilot program, the department shall create a plan of
care for each eligible applicant.� The
department may refer eligible applicants to health care providers.
���� (c)�
The pilot program may enter into contracts with health care providers to
effectuate the purposes of this Act.� Any
contract executed pursuant to this Act shall be subject to chapter 103F, Hawaii
Revised Statutes.
���� (d)�
An individual shall not be considered eligible for the KupunAloha pilot
program if:
���� (1)� The
individual is covered by medicaid or any other government assistance program
for in-home health care �or support
services;
���� (2)� The
individual does not meet the income requirements for the program established by
the department; or
���� (3)� The
individual does not meet the need criteria for the program established by the
department.
���� (e)�
The KupunAloha pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.
���� SECTION 3.�
The department of health shall submit a report on the effectiveness of
the KupunAloha pilot program established pursuant to this Act to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of 2027.� The report shall also
include recommendations to improve the efficiency of the KupunAloha pilot
program and whether the program should be made permanent.
���� SECTION 4.�
There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the implementation and operation of the KupunAloha pilot program.
���� The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
���� SECTION 5.�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
Report Title:
DOH;
KupunAloha Pilot Program; In-Home Care Services; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha Pilot Program to provide
in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not
otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services.� Appropriates funds for the pilot program.� Pilot program sunsets 6/30/2027.� (CD1)
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