National Association of Community Health Centers: How the State of Hawaii is Tackling Food Insecurity

On January 8, 2025, the State of Hawaii received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to extend its QUEST Integration § 1115 Medicaid demonstration. This waiver extension expanded Medicaid coverage for health-related social needs (HRSN) services, select Medicaid services for justice-involved populations within 90 days of their scheduled release, and various home and community-based services (HCBS) flexibilities, and more.  

Additionally, this demonstration created opportunities for Hawaii health centers to provide tailored nutritional support to their patients. The The Hawai‘i Primary Care Association (PCA) participated in conversations that informed the State’s 1115 waiver submission on nutritional provisions and continues to support Medicaid as it determines how to implement the benefit.