Committee approves emergency funding request to backfill SNAP and support ACA premium subsidies

The committee voted to advance SB 2211 SD2, an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to backfill SNAP assistance provided during a prior federal funding gap and to help residents cover higher ACA marketplace premiums.

Joseph Campos (DHS) said SD2 incorporates the governor’s requested $16.5 million for ACA premium assistance, aimed at people who no longer qualify for Med‑QUEST but remain at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. DHS estimates the target population is roughly 6,000 people enrolled in silver cost‑sharing reduction (CSR) plans on the federally facilitated marketplace.

Supporters including the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Food Industry Association, AlohaCare, and Hawaii Food Bank urged passage, calling the funding essential to prevent coverage and benefit disruptions for households at the lower end of the income scale. Chris Conforti of the Public Health Institute described the measure as necessary to fortify the safety net while federal subsidies changed.

The committee asked DHS for clarification on targeting and mechanics. DHS explained that the state will target enrollees in silver CSR plans (a proxy for <=250% FPL) because insurers can identify CSR enrollment even though carriers do not receive members’ income data directly. DHS provided a rough cost estimate of about $15.5M and included a buffer to accommodate newly eligible people; the committee report will request that the record include $14,248,126 (section three) and $16.5M (section four) as discussed during testimony.

The committee recommended passing SB 2211 SD2 with those amendments and the funding numbers captured in the committee report. The recommendation carried in the decision‑making votes recorded at the hearing.