HB 646: RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State does not automatically enroll federal supplemental security income program participants into the State's medicaid program.  The supplemental security income program is an important program that provides monthly payments to people who have little or no income or resources and who have a disability or are an older adult, and financial eligibility is based on national criteria.  However, the medicaid program, which provides health insurance to low-income individuals, is administered at the state level, resulting in varying medicaid eligibility policies across different states.

     The legislature further finds that thirty-three states and Washington, D.C. automatically enroll supplemental security income recipients into medicaid based on notification from the Social Security Administration.  In fact, section 1634 of the Social Security Act authorizes states to enter into automatic enrollment agreements with the Social Security Administration.  However, Hawaii residents who participate in the supplemental security income program must complete a separate application for medicaid and wait for the application to be processed.

     According to research reported in the Social Security Bulletin, requiring a separate application for medicaid may limit enrollment due to the additional burden of completing the application.  Medicaid participation in states without automatic enrollment is significantly lower than in states that automatically enroll supplemental security income program participants into their state medicaid programs.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the State to automatically enroll supplemental security income program participants in the State's medicaid program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-     Enrollment of federal supplemental security income program participants in medicaid.  The department shall automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal supplemental security income benefits.  The enrollment shall be within thirty days of receipt of notification of the individual's eligibility for federal supplemental security income benefits from the Social Security Administration.  The department shall not require federal supplemental security income program participants to submit an additional application or fulfill additional criteria in order to enroll in medicaid."

     SECTION 3.  The department of human services shall submit a report on its progress made to implement this Act to the legislature no later than forty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Security Income Program; Medicaid; Automatic Enrollment; Reports

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to Supplemental Security Income.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State does not automatically enroll federal supplemental security income (SSI) program participants into the State's medicaid program.  The federal SSI program is an important program that provides monthly payments to people who have little or no income or resources and who have a disability or are an older adult, and financial eligibility is based on national criteria.  However, the medicaid program, which provides health insurance to low-income individuals, is administered at the state level, resulting in varying medicaid eligibility policies across different states.

     The legislature further finds that thirty-three states and Washington, D.C. automatically enroll federal SSI recipients into medicaid based on notification from the Social Security Administration.  In fact, section 1634 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1383(c)) authorizes states to enter into automatic enrollment agreements with the Social Security Administration.  However, Hawaiʻi residents who participate in the federal SSI program must complete a separate application for medicaid and wait for the application to be processed.

     According to research reported in the Social Security Bulletin, requiring a separate application for medicaid may limit enrollment due to the additional burden of completing the application.  Medicaid participation in states without automatic enrollment is significantly lower than in states that automatically enroll federal SSI program participants into their state medicaid programs.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the State to automatically enroll federal supplemental security income program participants in the State's medicaid program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-    Enrollment of federal supplemental security income program participants in medicaid.  The department shall automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal supplemental security income benefits.  The enrollment shall be within thirty days of receipt of notification of the individual's eligibility for federal supplemental security income benefits from the Social Security Administration.  The department shall not require federal supplemental security income program participants to submit an additional application or fulfill additional criteria in order to enroll in medicaid."

     SECTION 3.  The department of human services shall submit a report on its progress made to implement this Act to the legislature no later than forty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Security Income Program; Medicaid; Automatic Enrollment; Reports

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.  Requires reports to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  256

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 646

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 646 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that the federal Supplemental Security Income Program provides critical financial support to individuals with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income, yet Hawaii does not automatically enroll Supplemental Security Income recipients into the State's Medicaid program.  Unlike several other states where Supplemental Security Income recipients are seamlessly enrolled based on Social Security Administration notification, Hawaii requires a separate Medicaid application, which creates unnecessary barriers to health care access and can deter some individuals from applying altogether.  To streamline access to health care, reduce administrative burdens, and encourage greater Medicaid participation rates, this measure requires the State to automatically enroll Supplemental Security Income Program participants in Medicaid, ensuring that vulnerable residents receive the medical coverage they need without delay.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 646, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 646, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,