Advocacy efforts by the Hawaii Chapter successfully helped prevent cuts in outpatient rehabilitation benefits under Hawaii's Medicaid program, known as QUEST.

Gov Neil Abercrombie's office recently announced that the state "will still tighten income eligibility for adults in QUEST starting in July, which means about 3,500 adults could lose health insurance coverage, but will cancel limits on hospital stays and the elimination of outpatient rehabilitation, optometry services and prosthetics." The administration announced last month that it would cancel cuts for durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and oxygen tanks.

"We're extremely pleased with the Abercrombie administration's decision to keep outpatient rehabilitation benefits intact for QUEST beneficiaries," said Art Lum, PT, MA, president of the Hawaii Chapter. "This victory could not have been possible without the support of our chapter's membership and APTA staff, and the work of the chapter's legislative team."