Quarter of Hawaii’s population now on Medicaid

[Geee]

Watchdog.org:

HONOLULU — New statistics released by the state Department of Human Services show about a quarter of Hawaii’s population relies on Medicaid.

 

Of Hawaii’s 1.3 million people, some 320,000 qualify for the government health-care program.

 

According to the state Department of Human Services, the number of people on federal health-care subsidies in Hawaii has jumped since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Hawaii in October.

 

State figures show net enrollment increased 12 percent between Oct. 1 and June 30.

 

“The target is for all Hawaii residents to have health insurance. As an entitlement program, Medicaid plays an important role,” said Kayla Rosenfeld, a state Department of Human Services spokeswoman.