HI SCR153

Urges consideration of Medicaid expansion as a solution to provide insurance coverage for Hawaii residents with income between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level (the "gap group")

Notes that individuals in this income range were dropped from Medicaid coverage on July 1, 2012, and are unlikely to afford health insurance through the Hawaii Health Connector

States that the gap group's health care needs are more complex than higher wage earners and better suited to Medicaid benefit packages than commercial insurance

Emphasizes that the federal government will cover 100% of Medicaid expansion costs for this population and that Compacts of Free Association populations will add minimal state costs

Directs transmission of the resolution to the Governor, Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Commissioner, and Executive Director of the Hawaii Health Connector