STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3357

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 3016
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 3016, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-
     INCOME PERSONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for the
Department of Human Services to use to raise the income
eligibility level for the medically needy program, an optional
program under Medicaid.

     Your Committee finds that the Medicaid program authorizes
the State to expand coverage to persons above the Medicaid income
level, but who are low income and deemed "medically needy".
Those deemed "medically needy" are often disabled or terminally
ill, with significant medical expenses.  By raising the income
eligibility level for the medically needy to one hundred thirty-
three per cent of the assistance allowance, the State will be
able to provide medical care for a significant "gap group" of
medically needy residents unable to receive care otherwise.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
3016, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 
a                                                     HB3016 SD1
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3357
                                   Page 2


                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     HB3016 SD1