Nearly 100 members of the Micronesian community and its supporters held a rally last night at the state Capitol to demand that the state and federal governments come up with sufficient funds to continue health care benefits for Micronesians living in Hawai'i.

The rally was organized by Micronesians United and drew dozens of migrants from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau who receive health care coverage through the state's Quest Medicaid program. Several elected officials and representatives from social services organizations also joined the rally.

At issue is the nearly 7,500 non-U.S. citizens, many from these Pacific Island nations, who will see their medical coverage switched from the Quest program to a basic medical plan on Sept. 1. The move, the state said, will free up about $15 million annually that will be used to expand prescription drug coverage for Medicaid clients.

The state typically receives reimbursements from the federal government for payments the state makes for U.S. citizens, but receives a low percentage for care provided to noncitizens. The state said it covers $90 million in health care services annually, but receives reimbursement of between $10 million and $11 million.

To deal with the huge difference in outlay, the state created a new program, Basic Health Hawai'i, to serve the people who legally reside here but aren't eligible for federally supported care.

But the new plan, critics say, will not pay for treatment of serious illnesses, such as cancer and kidney diseases.

Manuel Sound, a former lieutenant governor of Chuuk State, moved to Hawai'i seven years ago because he could not receive dialysis treatments in his native Chuuk. If the state puts him on the basic health plan, he said, he will no longer be able to afford the treatments.

"I'm worried," the 69-year-old father of seven said. "I will get poisoned, then I'll start digging a grave here or wait until I die and then they'll send me home in a box if I stop dialysis."

Sound said he wants the federal government to live up to its end of the Compact of Free Association by paying the state for its health care costs. The Compact provides U.S. economic assistance to these nations, formerly the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and access to many domestic programs. In exchange, the U.S. gets defense and other rights in these nations.

"I hope they will find the money to adjust the basic plan, which is not enough for anything at all," he said.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie last week successfully included an amendment to a bill that would give the state matching funds for Medicaid to Compact migrants, or about $15 million annually.

Sisan Suda, an officer with Micronesian United, said he appreciated Abercrombie's effort and hoped that it will be enough to care for the people in need.

"This is a federal obligation," said Suda, 69. "The state is an extension of the federal government and Micronesians are asking the United States through the state of Hawai'i to meet its obligation."