Hawai’i State Rural Health Association Newsletter

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Please click on the link below to view the July issue of the Hawai’i State Rural Health Association newsletter.

HSRHA newsletter – July 2013

 

 

Rural Research Alert: Uninsured

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The Uninsured: An Analysis by Income and Geography

This policy brief analyzes data from the 2010 Small Area Health Insurance Estimates in order to report on uninsurance rates in rural and urban places according to individuals’ income levels. We find lower uninsurance rates at income levels below 400% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) in rural places.  However, we also show that, due to a concentration of incomes below 138% FPL, rural uninsured populations stand to benefit more from possible Medicaid expansions than their urban counterparts. As a percentage of the overall adult population, rural places have more potential enrollees in both expanded Medicaid programs and Health Insurance Marketplaces. We also report on the considerable regional variation in these results.Contact Information:
Keith J. Mueller, PhD
RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
Phone: 319.384.3831
keith-mueller@uiowa.edu

Additional Resource of Interest:

Subscriber Services

To subscribe to the Rural Health Research Alerts – click here to go to subscription form.
To unsubscribe – Send an e-mail to info@ruralhealthresearch.org with the text ‘Unsubscribe Research Alerts’ in the subject line. (Please check that the message has not been forwarded to you before attempting to unsubscribe).
To change your subscribed e-mail address – Send an e-mail to info@ruralhealthresearch.org with the text ‘Change Research Alerts Subscription’ in the subject line and your old and new e-mail addresses in the text of the message.

This e-mail and research alert are a service of the Rural Health Research Gateway. The Rural Health Research Gateway does not assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information provided in this message. Web site links included in the message are for your convenience. The Rural Health Research Gateway is not responsible for the availability or content of these web sites. For additional services and information, see the Rural Health Research Gateway web site at http://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/ or call 701-777-0772.

We>I – Visionary Change to End Violence Against Women

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WE>I

Visionary Change to End Violence Against Women

The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Joyful Heart Foundation invite you to the 2013 HSCADV Annual Conference. This year’s conference will be provide an opportunity for advocates and those committed to ending domestic and sexual violence to take a step back, add to our body of knowledge, spark diverse ideas, and have critical conversations for our movement in Hawaii.

Day 1 will explore new and evolving approaches to working toward ending violence against women across the spectrum of violence.  Featured speakers include:

  • Anne Menard, Executive Director of National Resource Center on Domestic Violence,
  • Lorraine Robinson, Executive Director, TJ Mahoney, and
  • Dr. Valli Kalei Kanuha, Professor and Chair, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Sociology

Other highlights include experiential sessions to revision our work, and applying physical movement in our movement to end violence, with Norma Wong, an instructor with the Institute of Zen Studies.

Day 2 will look at how to manage vicarious trauma and support wellness in the workplace. Highlights of this day include dialogue sessions to identify and plan how to sustain ourselves in our advocacy work as well as experiential wellness sessions that promote concrete approaches to maintaining individual well-being.

DATE: Thursday, September 26 & Friday, September 27, 2013

TIME: Registration begins at 8:00 am. Program 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

LOCATION: Ko’olau Ballrooms and Conference Center, 56-550 Kionaole Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744

REGISTRATION: Click here to register.  General registration deadline will be closed onSeptember 10, 2013 or when space is full.

COST: Registration fees include continental breakfast, lunch and all training materials for both days.  Single day registration fees are NOT available.

  • $70 – Early Registration by August 22,2013
  • $75 for registration August 23rd to September 10 or when space is full

Payment can be made by check. Please make checks out to:
Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence,
810 Richards Street, Suite 960
Honolulu, HI 96813

REGISTRATION SCHOLARSHIPS: There are a limited number of scholarships for registration fees for HSCADV member programs and individuals in need. You may request a registration scholarship when you register. Registration scholarships must be requested by August 2, 2013.  

TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS: There are a limited number of travel scholarships available for HSCADV program members and Domestic Violence task force members who register by July 31, 2013.  You may request a travel scholarship when you register. Advocates and task force members receiving travel scholarships must:

  • Arrange your flights with HSCADV consultant, Ana Maring.  Ms. Maring will be contacting travel scholarship recipients.
  • Share a double occupancy room OR pay for one-half of the expenses for a single occupancy room (based on room availability). You may choose not to stay at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki; however, sponsorship does not cover the costs for accommodations elsewhere.
  • Pay the Registration Fee of $70 by September 10, 2013.
  • Sponsorship does not cover expenses for per diem, or meals other than those provided during the conference. (Meals provided during the conference include breakfast and lunch on September 26 and 27.
  • Ground transportation information will be provided prior to the conference.

For planning purposes please see the breakout for travel scholarships.  The number of seats available is a rough estimate and depending on costs we may have to adjust the number as tickets are booked.

Island Program Travel Scholarships
Hawaii Island YMCA 1
CFS TPFF Kona 5
CFS TPFF Hilo 5
Task Force Members 5
Kauai YWCA 7
Task Force Members 5
Maui PACT Maui 4
WHW Maui 4
CFS Maui 4
Task Force Members 4
Lanai WHW Lanai 4
Task Force Members 2
Molokai MCSC 6
Task Force Members 4
Neighbor Island Subtotal 60

Cancellation Policy
Registration fees – Payment or guarantee of payment is due by the September 10, 2013registration deadline. Participant substitutions are permitted with prior notification. If participants cancel their registrations after the deadline or fail to attend the training, they or their organization will be billed the full registration fee.

Participants who are receiving a travel scholarship who cancel or do not attend the conference, will be responsible for the cost of airfare and lodging.
For more information, please contact Ana Maring at ana_maring@yahoo.com.

This event would not have been possible without the Sponsorship of:
State of Hawaii Judiciary, First Circuit Court,
Maternal and Child Health Branch, Department of Health
Commission on the Status of Women

For more information, please contact:
Ana Maring
Domestic and Sexual Violence Consultant
808-216-4153
ana_maring@yahoo.com

Kūkulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture and Natural Resources grant programs

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The Hawai‘i Community Foundation (“HCF”) and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (“HTA”) have partnered to administer the Kūkulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture and Natural Resources grant programs. HCF/HTA have launched the 2014 Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the Hawaiian Culture and Natural Resource grant programs. To view RFPs, click on Hawaiian Culture 2014 RFP and Natural Resources 2014 RFP. Online applications will be accepted after July 30, 2013 on HCF’s Nonprofit Gateway (please register early!). Deadlines to apply are 9/23/2013 for Hawaiian Culture and 10/28/2013 for Natural Resources.
HCF and HTA staff will be all islands to answer questions regarding the 2014 Hawaiian Culture and Natural Resource Program RFPs. You are invited to attend a FREE Informational Session followed by a Grant Writing Workshop presented by the Hawai‘i Alliance of Nonprofit Organization (HANO) – a small fee is required for most grant writing workshops. These sessions are coming up in the next few weeks!
All sessions will be held from:
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – 2014 HTA RFP Informational Session by HCF/HTA – FREE
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – HANO’s Grant Writing Workshop – $20, except for Lāna‘i & Moloka‘i. Lunch to be provided.
To view information and registration on info sessions and grant writing workshops, click on the following link to go directly to the website:
To register and view the full list of informational sessions and grant writing workshops, please see HANO’s Event Registration athttp://assetshawaii.org/r/E/NzUyNg/MTM4/0/0/a3JoY2FpQHlhaG9vLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL2hhbm8uY2FtcDkub3JnL0RlZmF1bHQuYXNweD9wYWdlSWQ9MTA3MjgzIyEjIQ/123/0. If you have questions on registration, please contact Jennifer Cornish Creed, HANO’s Director of Member & Professional Development, at (808) 529-0453 or jcreed@hano-hawaii.org.
Please feel free to pass along this information to organizations engaged in environmental and cultural perpetuation.
If you have any questions on the HTA grant opportunities, please contact HCF Staff, Larissa Kick at lkick@hcf-hawaii.org.

Health Insurance Marketplace

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Health Insurance Marketplace

Welcome to the new HealthCare.gov

Health insurance is changing in 2014 — so we’ve updated HealthCare.gov to
help you get ready for the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Our mission is to help you understand your health coverage options so you
can enroll in a plan that meets your and your family’s needs. And if you run
a small business, we’ll help you find a plan that works for you and your employees.
Self employed? We’ve got that covered too.

New features include:

 
  • The most important health insurance info at your fingertips — just answer a few fast questions and we’ll provide you with a personalized list of coverage options, content you’ll want to read, and a checklist to help you get ready
  • An easy-to-understand question and answer format, with content based on the most common questions we hear
  • A simpler site structure and powerful search features that make it easy to find what you’re looking for
  • A seamless HealthCare.gov experience on your mobile device, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer
When open enrollment starts on October 1, 2013, you’ll be able to
apply, compare plans, and enroll. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014

New Campaign Launched to Educate Americans about Health Insurance Marketplace

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New Campaign Launched to Educate Americans about Health Insurance Marketplace

HealthCare.gov
The Obama administration has launched a new educational campaign about the Health Insurance Marketplace. The new tools will help Americans understand their choices and select the coverage that best suits their health insurance needs when open enrollment begins on October 1, 2013. On the recently updated HealthCare.gov website, you can compare plans and get information about the Marketplace in your state. Customer service representatives are also available toll-free at 1-800-318-2596. People with hearing and/or speech disabilities may call using TTY/TDD technology at 1-855-889-4325.
Have health insurance questions? Answer a few quick questions.

Nine Days of Free Health Care Coming to Ka’ū in June

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Nine Days of Free Health Care Coming to Ka’ū in June

An innovative training program by the U.S. Department of Defense will bring 75 military reservists to Ka‘ū June 4-12 to provide free medical care in clinics open to the public.Tropic Care 2013 will run two clinics, at Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School and the Ocean View Community Center. Clinics will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing early at 12 p.m. on the final day, June 12.

Health care services that will be provided free of charge include physical exams, dentistry, optometry (exams and glasses), medication review and provision of some medication, and nutrition education. Patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis and are advised that there may be long wait times.

“This is an opportunity to bring needed medical, dental and vision services to the district of Ka‘ū,” said Aaron Ueno, Hawai‘i District Health Officer with the state Department of Health. “These services are open to the entire island and we are hoping to do this again in the future with community support.”

Tropic Care 2013 is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and the state Hawai‘i District Health Office, supported by the County of Hawai‘i and the Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association. It is an exercise of the Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program, which challenges reservists to plan and implement rapid mobilizations to distant and unfamiliar areas.

“We thank the Department of Defense and all the reservists for coming to Hawai‘i Island and reaching out to our residents,” said Karen Teshima, Executive Assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi. “This innovative program will benefit everyone involved, and will further our goal of keeping our community safe and healthy.”

Other community partners collaborating to bring this service to Ka‘ū are: the Hawai‘i Department of Education, Ocean View Family Health Center, Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi, Bay Clinic, Hawai‘i Island Cardiovascular, Hawai‘i Island Community Lung Assessment Science Studies, Ocean View Community Association, Kona Community Hospital, Hawai‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy, Ka‘ū Hospital, Pacific Quest, and the Veteran’s Administration.

For more information on Tropic Care 2013 or to request special assistance or an auxiliary aid seven days prior to the event, call (808) 974-6035 or email Martha Yamada of the Public Health Nursing Section at martha.yamada@doh.hawaii.gov.

To view the Hawaii County link to this information, please click here.

Domestic Violence 101: A 25-Hour Domestic Violence Training in Kona

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Kona 25 hour training 2013

Training Information

Domestic Violence 101: A 25-Hour Domestic Violence Training
Kona – May 30,31 and June 6,7
Each Day: 8 am – 4 pm

Location Information:
Queen Lili’uokalnai Children’s Center

Parking Information: TBA. HSCADV does not reimburse for the cost of parking.

HSCADV recommends that all staff that have any level of contact with victims of domestic violence complete this training for the protection of the victim’s confidentiality. Hawaii Revised Statute 06262-0001-505.5 provides client/counselor privilege to individuals who:
1) work for a domestic violence agency,
2) are supervised by a domestic violence supervisor, and
3) have completed a 25 hour domestic violence training.

This training is a four-day interactive experience featuring information that will create a foundation to understand the issue of domestic violence. Each of the days includes topic-specific modules. Participants may register for individual days, up to all four days of training; however, the first day of training requires attendance as it covers the dynamics of domestic violence and is the foundation for the following days of training. Please not that registration for each day denotes commitment to attend the entire day.

Day 1: April 25 (6.25 hours of training)
• Introduction
• Dynamics
• Privilege & Oppression
• Feminism
Day 2: April 26 (6.25 hours of training)
• Batterers and System Response to Batterers
• Child Development & Exposure to DV
• DV and Child Sex Abuse
• Child Abuse/Neglect in the context of DV
Day 3: May 2 (6.25 hours of training)
• Survivors of DV
• DV and the Law
Day 4: May 3(6.25 hours of training)
• Impact of Systems on Survivors
• Interventions
• Resources

Training Fees: Flat fee per person (regardless of # of days of training): $25 for member program staff, $100 for non-member programs/general public (scholarships are available for half price for non-members if cost is an issue). One hour break for lunch is provided each day. Lunch, snacks & drinks are on your own and can be purchased at any number of places in the area.

Participants are required to maintain their documentation of completion as HSCADV does not keep attendance records. All participants who complete this training will receive a comprehensive resource manual that includes information on the above topics and other related information and a certificate for each day of attendance.

Registration can be done on the link provided below:

4/24/2013 Release from CFPB

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Assets Hawaii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 24, 2013

CONTACT:

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

Tel: (202) 435-9572

CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU FINDS PAYDAY AND DEPOSIT ADVANCE LOANS CAN TRAP CONSUMERS IN DEBT

Sustained Use of Loans Raises Consumer Protection Concerns

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a report on payday and deposit advance loans finding that for many consumers these products lead to a cycle of indebtedness. Loose lending standards, high costs, and risky loan structures may contribute to the sustained use of these products which can trap borrowers in debt.

“This comprehensive study shows that payday and deposit advance loans put many consumers at risk of turning what is supposed to be a short-term, emergency loan into a long-term, expensive debt burden,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “For too many consumers, payday and deposit advance loans are debt traps that cause them to be living their lives off money borrowed at huge interest rates.” The Payday Loans and Deposit Advance Products report is at: http://assetshawaii.org/r/D/NjY5MA/MTM4/0/0/a3JoY2FpQHlhaG9vLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL2ZpbGVzLmNvbnN1bWVyZmluYW5jZS5nb3YvZi8yMDEzMDRfY2ZwYl9wYXlkYXktZGFwLXdoaXRlcGFwZXIucGRmIyEjIQ/0

The report found that payday loans and the deposit advance loans offered by a small but growing number of banks and other depository institutions are generally similar in structure, purpose, and the consumer protection concerns they raise. Both are typically described as a way to bridge a cash flow shortage between paychecks or other income. They offer quick and easy accessibility, especially for consumers who may not qualify for other credit. The loans generally have three features: they are small-dollar amounts; borrowers must repay them quickly; and they require that a borrower repay the full amount or give lenders access to repayment through a claim on the borrower’s deposit account.

The CFPB study is one of the most comprehensive ever undertaken on the market. It looked at a 12-month period with more than 15 million storefront payday loans and data from multiple depository institutions that offer deposit advance products.

Key Finding: Payday and deposit advance loans can become debt traps for consumers

The report found many consumers repeatedly roll over their payday and deposit advance loans or take out additional loans; often a short time after the previous one was repaid. This means that a sizable share of consumers end up in cycles of repeated borrowing and incur significant costs over time. The study also confirmed that these loans are quite expensive and not suitable for sustained use. Specifically, the study found limited underwriting and the single payment structure of the loans may contribute to trapping consumers in debt.

Loose Lending: Lenders often do not take a borrower’s ability to repay into consideration when making a loan. Instead, they may rely on ensuring they are one of the first in line to be repaid from a borrower’s income. For the consumer, this means there may not be sufficient funds after paying off the loan for expenses such as for their rent or groceries – leading them to return to the bank or payday lender for more money. ·

Payday: Eligibility to qualify for a payday loan usually requires proper identification, proof of income, and a personal checking account. No collateral is held for the loan, although the borrower does provide the lender with a personal check or authorization to debit her checking account for repayment. Credit score and financial obligations are generally not taken in to account. ·

Deposit Advance: Depository institutions have various eligibility rules for their customers, who generally already have checking accounts with them. The borrower authorizes the bank to claim repayment as soon as the next qualifying electronic deposit is received. Typically, though, a customer’s ability to repay the loan outside of other debts and ordinary living expenses is not taken into account.

Risky Loan Structures: The risk posed by the loose underwriting is compounded by some of the features of payday and deposit advance loans, particularly the rapid repayment structure. Paying back a lump sum when a consumer’s next paycheck or other deposit arrives can be difficult for an already cash-strapped consumer, leading them to take out another loan. ·

Payday: Payday loans typically must be repaid in full when the borrower’s next paycheck or other income is due. The report finds the median loan term to be just 14 days. ·

Deposit Advance: There is not a fixed due date with a deposit advance. Instead, the bank will repay itself from the next qualifying electronic deposit into the borrower’s account. The report finds that deposit advance “episodes,” which may include multiple advances, have a median duration of 12 days.

High Costs: Both payday loans and deposit advances are designed for short-term use and can have very high costs. These high costs can add up – on top of the already existing loans that a consumer is taking on. ·

Payday: Fees for storefront payday loans generally range from $10-$20 per $100 borrowed. For the typical loan of $350, for example, the median $15 fee per $100 would mean that the borrower must come up with more than $400 in just two weeks. A loan outstanding for two weeks with a $15 fee per $100 has an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 391 percent. ·

Deposit Advance: Fees generally are about $10 per $100 borrowed. For a deposit advance with a $10 fee per $100 borrowed on a 12-day loan, for example, the APR would be 304 percent.

Sustained Use: The loose underwriting, the rapid repayment requirement, and the high costs all may contribute to turning a short-term loan into a very expensive, long-term loan. For consumers, it is unclear whether they fully appreciate the risk that they may end up using these products much longer than the original term. Or, that they may end up paying fees that equal or exceed the amount they borrowed, leading them into a revolving door of debt. ·

Payday: For payday borrowers, nearly half have more than 10 transactions a year, while 14 percent undertook 20 or more transactions annually. Payday borrowers are indebted a median of 55 percent (or 199 days) of the year. For the majority of payday borrowers, new loans are most frequently taken on the same day a previous loan is closed, or shortly thereafter. ·

Deposit Advance: More than half of all users borrow more than $3,000 per year while 14 percent borrow more than $9,000 per year. These borrowers typically have an outstanding balance at least 9 months of the year and typically are indebted more than 40 percent of the year. And while these products are sometimes described as a way to avoid the high cost of overdraft fees, 65 percent of deposit advance users incur such fees. The heaviest deposit advance borrowers accrue the most overdraft fees.

The CFPB has authority to oversee the payday loan market. It began its supervision of payday lenders in January 2012. The CFPB also has authority to examine the deposit advance loans at the banks and credit unions it supervises, which are insured depository institutions and credit unions, and their affiliates, that have more than $10 billion in assets. Today’s report will help educate regulators and consumers about how the industry works and provide market participants with a clear statement of CFPB concerns.

While today’s study looked at storefront payday lenders, the CFPB will continue to analyze the growing online presence of such businesses. The Bureau is also looking at bank and credit union deposit account overdraft programs which provide short-term, small-dollar, immediate access credit services. The CFPB will publish initial results from this overdraft study later this spring.

To help educate consumers about payday and deposit advance loans, today the CFPB updated its Ask CFPB web tool to assist consumers with their financial questions about these products.

A factsheet about payday and deposit advance loans is available at: http://assetshawaii.org/r/D/NjcwMg/MTM4/0/0/a3JoY2FpQHlhaG9vLmNvbQ/aHR0cDovL2ZpbGVzLmNvbnN1bWVyZmluYW5jZS5nb3YvZi8yMDEzMDRfY2ZwYl9wYXlkYXktZmFjdHNoZWV0LnBkZiMhIyE/0

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. For more information, visit consumerfinance.gov.

Law Passed to Eliminate Asset Limits for TANF Recipients

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Assets Hawaii

Great news Ho’owaiwai Networkers!

After years of collective work by the Ho’owaiwai Network and its supporters, the Governor recently signed HB 868 into law, which eliminates the asset test for recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program! We are only the 7th state to do so!

In preparation for a larger press release to celebrate the efforts of the Ho’owaiwai Network, we wanted to see if any of our partner organizations is interested in contributing to the documentation of this huge, huge achievement. We are generally looking for the following:

 

A client or family you have worked with who will directly benefit from the passing of this legislation and is willing to share their story

Stories from your own organizations around the efforts you have put in to ensure the passing of this legislation.

Any other related story!

 

If you are interested, please contact Brent Kakesako, Chief Operating Officer of the Hawai’i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED) via email (bkakesako@hacbed.org) or phone (808-550-2661) by Friday, May 10.

Mahalo for all of your efforts to build assets of families across Hawai’i to increase their self-sufficiency and control over their daily lives!