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Committee advances increase to Medicaid in‑home service rates; AARP and disability advocates back measure
Summary
SB 298 SD1 would raise Medicaid rates for in‑home services such as bathing and errands. The committee passed the bill with amendments and the department requested alignment with the executive budget process.
The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness voted to pass SB 298 SD1, a measure that appropriates funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for in‑home services, including assistance with bathing and errands, intended to address home‑care workforce shortages.
Audrey Suga Nakagawa of AARP Hawaii testified in support, saying higher rates help "address the workforce shortage" and support aging in place for kupuna and the caregivers who assist them. Disability and Communications Access Board also submitted written support.
Department of Human Services testified with comments, asking that the program and any appropriation not conflict with or replace priorities in the executive budget; DHS noted the appropriation is already included in the executive budget request (House Bill 300) and preferred that such funding be handled through the executive budget process.
The committee adopted technical amendments, deferred a defective effective date to 3000 for legislative drafting consistency, and passed the measure unanimously. The committee also included language adapted from House Bill 702 in the bill's purpose section as part of the amendment package.
