Committee advances resolution to study services and funding for patients with co-occurring conditions

The House Committee on Health on April 17 adopted SCR 149 SD1, directing the Department of Health to establish an informal working group to assess services and funding needs for complex patients with two or more diagnoses that include substance use disorder, mental illness or chronic physical illness.

Alan Johnson of the Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition said the measure marks "evolution" in state policy because it seeks to end silos between mental health, substance use and physical-health services and to pilot integrated models that Medicaid could later fund. "This funding will set the staffings, the rates, and the structure with the intention that Medicaid will take it over," Johnson said.

Brian Baker, president and CEO of Ke Nui Malo, described how fragmented referrals force people to seek care in multiple places and said integrated residential care under a single care plan could stabilize people and reduce cycles of emergency-room use and justice involvement.

Nicole Hokoana, CEO of Maui Behavioral Health Resources, echoed support and described operational challenges on Maui where providers must discharge or transfer clients to meet medical or mental-health needs.

The committee approved SCR 149 SD1 with technical clarity and consistency edits; the resolution directs the Department of Health to convene stakeholders to assess service gaps and possible funding mechanisms. The committee noted no reservations on the measure at vote.

What happens next: The Department of Health is expected to convene an informal working group as requested; any pilot programs or funding decisions would require later appropriations and interagency agreements.