Hawaii’s state legislature recently decided to slash funding for healthcare services to citizens of the Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia who have migrated to that state because of the Compact of Free Association agreement.
The chief concern centers on the possibility of increased migration of Micronesian residents from Hawaii to Guam if such a cut were to happen. The funding cut is expected to take place today.
Last week, Speaker Judi Won Pat and Sen. Frank Blas met with FSM Consul General Gerson Jackson, Palau Consul General Jeff Kenty, former Sen. Carlotta Leon Guerrero and now chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Mike Cruz, and representatives from the Department of Public Health and Social Services, and the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority to discuss the impact this would have on Guam’s struggling health care system.
Won Pat said under the Organic Act, Guam cannot refuse healthcare or education or law enforcement services to anyone and if such a migration were to occur, it would place the government in a dire position given its current struggling health care and education woes.
Won Pat said each representative at the meeting will contact their counterpart in Hawaii to discuss what steps can be taken that will be beneficial to both.
Leon Guerrero said residents from the outer islands travel to Hawaii for various reasons, among them, better healthcare and education for their children.
Blas, who has been a vocal and consistent proponent of Compact-Impact reimbursements for Guam, said it was only a matter of time before Hawaii took action to try to recoup its losses in hosting Compact migrants.
“Just like Hawaii, Guam has had to carry the burden of this federal agreement which has placed a heavy financial burden on our healthcare and education systems,”said Blas.
Blas has persistently written to members of congress to bring to their attention the matter of over $400 million owed in Compact-Impact funds.
A resolution was also passed by the Guam Legislature and transmitted to President Barack Obama and members of Congress.
The United States in 1986, entered into an agreement with the Marshall Islands and FSM; and in 1994, the Republic of Palau. Under the compact, residents from these islands may enter the U.S. and receive full education, health and law enforcement services.
However, in 1996, under the Welfare Reform Law, the federal government declared compact migrants ineligible for Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which left Hawaii and Guam having to sustain these migrants using local funds, according to Variety files.
Today, Guam competes with Hawaii, American Samoa and the CNMI for approximately $30 million of Compact Impact funds. Last year and presently, Guam received $14.2 million. Next year, Guam will receive $16.8 million based on the recent census report, Blas.
Abercrombie amendment
Hawaii’s Congressman Neil Abercrombie proposed an amendment to America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 which might solve Hawaii’s migrant problem.
Abercrombie’s amendment would make compact migrants fully eligible for Medicaid benefits, which means Hawaii will be reimbursed by the federal government $15 million per year, about half the annual cost, according to a press release from Abercrombie’s office.
“Hawaii has spent more than $100 million every year on services to the 12,000 compact migrants. Today’s amendment means the Hawaii taxpayer won’t get stuck with the whole bill any longer,” said Abercrombie.
Blas said Abercrombie’s latest amendment would stop the Hawaii legislature’s decision to cut healthcare services to migrants.
“Hawaii’s state legislature made the decision to cut health care services to the Compact Impact citizens. What Abercrombie did was put in an amendment in the health reform bill that if it passes, Hawaii wouldn’t have to cut healthcare services. So he’s basically telling Congress, you pass this, or we cut these services,” said Blas.
