HI SB954

Appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Human Services to conduct a rate study on Medicaid home health services in Hawaii.

Establishes findings that home health services (skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and wound care) are critical healthcare services for homebound individuals recovering from surgery or acute illness.

Notes that Medicare is projected to cut federal funding for home health services by $25 billion between 2020 and 2029, and Hawaii's home health agencies lost an average of $1,186 per Medicaid patient served.

Identifies that declining reimbursement rates have contributed to a 39 percent vacancy rate for home health care positions in Hawaii, the highest vacancy rate across all healthcare professions, making it difficult to recruit and retain workforce.

Takes effect July 1, 2025.