Feds Say 34,000 Uninsured Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders Eligible for Health Care Savings

News Release from Hawaii Health Connector March 19, 2014

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Health Connector has learned, 34,000 uninsured Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in Hawai‘i are likely eligible for no cost health care coverage (such as Medicaid or CHIP) or could qualify for tax credits to help with the cost of premiums, according to a report released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Honolulu alone accounts for 25,000 eligible uninsured AANHPHIs, according to the report.

“We want to remind people that they may be eligible for savings on their health care coverage costs through the Connector,” said Tom Matsuda, the Connector’s interim executive director.  “Our outreach staff and Kōkua partners are actively assisting residents in completing their applications and signing up for coverage at community events and scheduled appointments.”

To reach residents who may be eligible for these health care benefits, the Connector outreach staff and Kōkua partners have attended hundreds of community events already this year. For instance, on March 8 the Micronesian Health & Wellness Resource Fair in Kahului recently hosted the Connector to help Maui community members from the Marshall Islands, Palau, the Northern Marianas, Guam and Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk, Yap, Pohnpei and Kosrae) enroll in health care coverage.

“So much of our outreach effort is centered on education,” said Connector Program Specialist Nikki Baysa. “We help people understand what resources are available to them when they’re looking for health care coverage. Having Kōkua who are multi-lingual, is a great way to share the benefits with our diverse community here on Maui.”

Before the open enrollment deadline on March 31, Connector outreach staff and Kōkua will be at dozens of events, statewide. For a complete listing of Connector events, visit: HawaiiHealthConnector.com/Countdown

The Connector has partnered with organizations that work specifically with AANHPI communities. These marketplace assister organizations include:

• Pacific Gateway Center

• Li’s Translation

• The Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly

• Ho‘ola Lāhui Hawai‘i*

• Ke Ola Mamo*

• Ko‘olauloa Community Health & Wellness Center

• Wai‘anae Coast Community Mental Health Center

• Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

• Waimānalo Community Health Center

• Hui No Ke Ola Pono*

• Ke Ola Hou O Lāna‘i

• Nā Pu‘uwai*

• Hāmākua Health Center

• Kalanihale

• Kīpuka O Ke Ola

*indicates Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems