Agencies and groups providing medical care to low-income and underserved families and native Hawaiians will meet tomorrow with legislators to explore ways to expand health dollars for state QUEST/Medicaid services. Meeting will explore better
low-income medical care
Star-Bulletin staff
Co-sponsoring the 9 to 11:30 a.m. event at Ihilani Resort & Spa Ocean Ballroom I, Ko Olina, are AlohaCare, the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Papa Ola Lokahi, Hawaii Federal HealthCare Partnership, Hawaii Primary Care Association and the Hawaii Uninsured Project.
They said their goal is to find ways to maximum Medicaid funds to meet needs of low-income and uninsured residents.
More than 130,000 islanders now qualify for QUEST, a state and federally financed health insurance program.
John McComas, chief executive officer of AlohaCare, the state's only exclusive QUEST insurance program, will give a status report on the program since it began in 1994.
AlohaCare recently increased its membership to 43,000 from 29,000. It provides health insurance to low-income families on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.
Others speaking at the conference will be:
>> Hardy Spoehr, Papa Ola Lokahi executive director, giving an update on native Hawaiians in the QUEST program. More than 25 percent of native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders meet income requirements for the benefits.Jory Watland, president of the Hawaii Primary Care Association and executive director of Kokua Kalihi Valley, will present a model for expanding Medicaid services without state cost.>> Cullen Hayashida, president of Assisted Living Options Hawaii and former executive director of Maluhia Hospital, discussing community-based approaches to long-term care.
>> Jim Burns, former chief executive officer of Managed Care Solutions, discussing Arizona's experience in Medicaid long-term care.
>> Piilani Pang, Hawaii Uninsured Project executive director, defining the problem of Hawaii's uninsured.
Those who plan to attend or want more information should call Noe Foster, 973-1569.
