RESEARCH: Pacific Islanders Rally for Health Coverage

Pacific Islanders Rally for Health Coverage

Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com

August 28, 2009 05:43 PM

An update on some health coverage concerns. About thirty migrants from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau picketed the state capitol. They want Gov. Linda Lingle to delay starting a new health insurance plan. "Basic Health Hawaii" begins next week. It'll cover about 7,000 migrants but no longer pays for chemotherapy and dialysis treatments. "The service that we were receiving under MedQuest was unlimited. But now we are limited to twelve outpatient visits a year. That means once a month. Now who knows that we're not going to be sick and wanting to go and see the doctor more than twelve times a year," Elma Coleman of Micronesians United said. The new plan will save the state $15 million this fiscal year. The state spends more than $100 million a year on services to Micronesian migrants. It's the only state giving them any type of medical coverage.

Actual Link: http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/20628/40/

There is a current dispute in the island of Hawaii regarding health care.

While researching health coverage concerns affecting the Pacific Islander communities, I found an article on the Kgmb9 website regarding Micronesians losing their “Quest Medicaid” program to a “Basic Health Hawaii” program. The Quest Medicaid program targets low-income families who are in need of aid for health coverage.

Hawaii QUEST, is a program that provides health coverage through health plans for qualified Hawaii residents. It provides medical and mental health services. QUEST is managed by the Department of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division and is financed through the State of Hawaii and the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In the video clip, the news broadcaster mentioned that even though that they are no longer given the Quest Medicaid program, the “Basic Health Hawaii” program is the ONLY Pacific Islander health coverage in the WORLD. How can this be?! ? Im blown away to see that one of the BIGGEST populations on the UNITED STATES CENSUS.. doesn’t have a universal plan that provides coverage for Pacific Islanders in the continental US & in Hawaii.

POLITICSSSS!!!!!!!