HI SR177

Requests the Department of Human Services to study providing Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or similar health insurance coverage to all children and pregnant persons who would otherwise qualify but are ineligible due to immigration status.

Study must include analysis of health care opportunities, resources, and costs related to providing coverage to undocumented persons, DACA recipients, and other immigrants without work authorization.

Requires the Department of Human Services to engage applicable stakeholders in the study, including immigrant health care providers, social service providers, and advocacy groups.

Department must submit a report with study findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2024.

Notes that Hawaii has an estimated 41,246 undocumented residents and that twenty-five states already provide prenatal care coverage regardless of immigration status, while eleven states provide CHIP or similar coverage to all children regardless of immigration status.