[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 19 (Monday, February 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1460-S1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INOUYE:
  S. 2098. A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to 
provide 100 percent reimbursement for medical assistance provided to a 
Native Hawaiian through a federally-qualified health center or a Native 
Hawaiian care system; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, today I introduce the Native Hawaiian 
Medicaid Coverage Act of 2004. This legislation would authorize a 
Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent (FMAP) of 100 percent for the 
payment of health care costs of Native Hawaiians who receive health 
care from Federally Qualified Health Centers or the Native Hawaiian 
Health Care System.
  This bill was originally a provision within the Medicare Prescription 
Drug Bill, which the Senate passed by an overwhelming majority of 76 to 
21, but was dropped from the final Medicare Prescription Drug 
Conference Report.
  This bill is modeled on the Native Alaskan Health Care Act, which 
provides for a Federal Medicaid Assistance Percent (FMAP) of 100 
percent for payment of health care costs for Native Alaskans by the 
Indian Health Service, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization.
  Community health centers serve as the ``safety net'' for uninsured 
and medically underserved native Hawaiians and other United States 
citizens, providing comprehensive primary and preventive health 
services to the entire community. Outpatient services offered to the 
entire family include comprehensive primary care, preventive health 
maintenance, and education outreach in the local community. Community 
health centers, with their multi-disciplinary approach, offer cost 
effective integration of health promotion and wellness with chronic 
disease management and primary care focused on serving vulnerable 
populations.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of this bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 2098

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Native Hawaiian Medicaid 
     Coverage Act of 2004''.

[[Page S1461]]

     SEC. 2. 100 PERCENT FMAP FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO A 
                   NATIVE HAWAIIAN THROUGH A FEDERALLY-QUALIFIED 
                   HEALTH CENTER OR A NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH CARE 
                   SYSTEM UNDER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

       (a) Medicaid.--The third sentence of section 1905(b) of the 
     Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, and with respect to medical assistance provided 
     to a Native Hawaiian (as defined in section 12 of the Native 
     Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act) through a federally-
     qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care 
     system (as so defined) whether directly, by referral, or 
     under contract or other arrangement between a federally-
     qualified health center or a Native Hawaiian health care 
     system and another health care provider'' before the period.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     applies to medical assistance provided on or after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
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