Department of Human Services

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Director, Patricia McManaman announced that Governor Abercrombie approved and signed temporary emergency rules that maintain the status quo for receipt of state-funded medical assistance benefits by noncitizens, including citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (COFA residents). The temporary emergency rules have been filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and shall remain in effect for up to 120 days. The rules can be reviewed in full on the DHS website at https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/.

Attorney General David M. Louie and Director of Human Services Patricia McManaman jointly announced today that a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court validates the state’s authority to determine the level of health care coverage provided to noncitizens who are ineligible for federal Medicaid. The high court’s decision also confirms that the state did not discriminate when it exercised that authority in 2010.