WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie (D – HI) yesterday announced proposed legislation to reinstate certain federal benefits for migrants from the Freely Associated States. The bill restores federal eligibility for non-emergency Medicaid, food stamps, supplemental security income, and temporary
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie (D – HI) yesterday announced proposed legislation to reinstate certain federal benefits for migrants from the Freely Associated States.
The bill restores federal eligibility for non-emergency Medicaid, food stamps, supplemental security income, and temporary assistance for needy families, all of which were guaranteed by the U.S. government to FAS migrants in the past.
However, when funds were cut, Hawai‘i was left to pay the costs that reached more than $90-million.
The FAS includes the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
“Eligibility for these benefits was in the original Compact of Free Association, agreements between the Government of the United State and these sovereign nations,” Abercrombie said in a prepared statement.
“It is simply wrong for Hawaii taxpayers to be stuck with the bill for an international agreement.”
Last year, Hawai‘i spent more than $90 million to provide health and social services to FAS migrants, doubling from what it cost in 2003.
Under the Compact of Free Association, citizens of the Freely Associated States have access to direct services of over forty U.S. fede ral domestic programs.
