Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2002 — BOT passes a program for kupuna health, SAGE PLUS a new beginning [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BOT passes a program for kupuna health, SAGE PLUS a new beginning

On June 20, the OHA Board of Tmstees passed a program to ensure that kupuna will be counseled on signing up for medical benefits they may be eligible for. SAGE PLUS is truly a new beginning for our people. The Native Hawaiian Task Force, convenedin 1999, was chargedwith developing health care options for OHA to pumue and originally focused on four underserved groups — keiki, 'ōpio, kupuna, and underinsured makua. After reviewing many health care options, the task force decided that OHA should, in the least, provide a sendce to help kupuna sign up for any medical benefits they may be eligible for. OHA will partner with the Centers for Medicare and Mledicaid Services and the SAGE PLUS program, operated by the State of Hawai"i Executive Office onAging, to develop an outreach program to ensure Native Hawaiian kupuna are getting all of the Mledicare and Vledicaid benefits to whieh they are entitled. The Centem for Vledicare and Vledicaid Senuces estimates that at

least 50 percent of seniors who are eligible for Vledicare Savings programs and/or Vledicaid are not receiving these benefits. It has been determined that over 16,000 Native Hawaiian kupuna are potentially eligible for program benefits. We would like to reach as many of this group as we ean. SAGE PLUS is a program whieh trains peer volunteem to provide information to senior citizens regarding available programs and eligibility requirements for Vledicare and other benefits. The program also ensures that volunteers are linked into a network of providers who assist kupuna in a variety of areas. SAGE PLUS provides the initial training (two 8hour sessions) and monthly followup to peer volunteers on eaeh island. O'ahu volunteers receive weekly follow-up meetings. These follow-up meetings are necessary to keep the volunteers up to date. The volunteers will be trained to: ♦ Explain Medicare, Vledicare supplements, Vledicare choices, and Vledicaid; ♦ Explain benefits and coverage;

♦ Assist in completing and submitting elaim forms; and ♦ Assist in contacting appropriate agencies to gather information and to make appropriate referrals. At this time, my heartfelt thahks to the Native Hawaiian Task Force members and former membeis for all the time and effort they put in getting a health project passed to help our kupuna: Current monbers: Dr. Thomas Au (Kauka Hui); Kim Birnie (Kauka Hui); Beth Geisting (Primaiy Care Assoc.); Claire Hughes (DOH, OHE); Richard Jackson (Queen's Health Systems); Na\i Kamali'i (Papa Ola Lōkahi); Kirk Lange (DOH OHP); Picilani Pang (HVISA Uninsured Project); Vlary Rydell (Centers for Vledicare and Medicaid Services); Hardy Spoehr (Papa Ola Lōkahi); and Paul Tom (HMA, īne.). Past members ha\''e included Dr. Charmin Akina, Dr. Naleen Andrade, Gladys Brandt, Stephen Chong, Beadie Dawson, Sam Vlillington, Professor Noreen VIokuau, Charles Nākoa, Richard Paglinawan, Robert Oshiro, Sister Beatrice Tom and Dr.

Benjamin Young. On another note, "For the Love of Country: A Discussion About Native Americans Contribution to the U.S." was held on July 15 and 16, hosted by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, the Alaska Federation of Natives, National Congress of American Indians, DHHL, OHA, and Senatom Akaka and Inouye. This effort was planned to help garner support for the passage of Senate Bill 746, better known as the Akaka Bill. Vly next eolumn will be devoted to this event — bringing you up close to all the events that took plaee in Washington, D.C., during this two-day event. Until then, a hui hou. ■ Interested inbecoming a peer vo!unteer to help OHA sign up eligible kupuna for meāieal benefits? Please contact OHA staffer Nancy Holt at 594-1905. Mahalo for your kōkua.

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Rowena Akana Trustee, At-large