Lack of health coverage is an issue that has been pushed to the forefront by many caring and concerned community leaders.
In 2000, the HMSA Foundation made a three-year commitment to study and address the growing number of Hawaiis people without health coverage, and The Hawaii Uninsured Project was born.
Recognizing the importance of an open and inclusive process, a nine-month community-wide planning initiative led to a statewide “Leadership Assembly” in November 2000. Conference findings provided a starting point to initiate research and begin to draw a picture of Hawaiis uninsured.
A year of analysis followed, along with gathering community suggestions on addressing the complex problems of the uninsured. In November 2001, the Policy Summit – Ways to Insure the Uninsured – helped to identify strategies with the greatest potential.
Three areas of focus emerged:
* employment-based insurance
* government-based insurance
* the safety net
Six months of intensive analysis led to further refinement of coverage options. These insights were recorded and presented to a cross-section of experts in a Coverage for All Design Forum held on May 30, 2002. This group collectively generated what is believed to be the best set of target areas for expansion.
In 2002,federal and national grants enabled The Hawaii Uninsured Project to begin operating in complete independence from HMSA Foundation. Google PR -
Community Case Management Corporation: Offers services to assist clients with accessing health care services. Contact information and services explanation. Easter Seals Hawaii: Hawaii chapter of a grass roots organization committed to helping people with disabilities. Hawaiian Eye Center: Eye care center providing comprehensive eye care for the entire family, including laser vision correction. Ohana Pacific Rehabilitation Services: Physical rehabilitation and occupational rehabilitation therapy specializing in geriatric and physical rehabilitation for neurological and orthopedic disorders. Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: Hawaii: Information about the Race for the Cure and other local events, grants, and sponsors. Healthcare School of Hawaii: Offers classes to become a certified nursing assistant. Includes admission requirements, program outline, tuition information, and forms. Kokua Nurses Hawaii Home Health Providers: Services, employment, mission and payment information, plus related links. Offices in Hilo and Honolulu. American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter: Information on the Hawaii chapter of this organization which provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Assistive Technology Resource Center of Hawaii: Hawaii non-profit providing information and resource for the disabled. Komen Hawaii Affiliate: The Hawaii Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure sponsors fundraising events including the Komen Hawaii Race for the Cure and is a valuable resource for information and education Korua Nurses: Kokua Nurses is a home health and private duty home care agency with offices in Honolulu and Hilo, Hawaii. Kokua Nurses been providing home health services to the people of Healthcare School of Hawaii: Healthcare School of Hawaii is a dynamic, pro-active Nursing Assistant, Advance Certified Nursing Assistant II, and CNA-s Recertification competency/proficiency evaluation (24 hr Minimum) as required by the Department of Human