Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 249 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to provide basic dental services to adults receiving services through Medicaid or QUEST medical assistance programs.

The State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kokua Council, and Health Care for the Homeless Project submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Human Services testified in support of the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that Medicaid and QUEST programs currently cover emergency dental services only. Individuals under these programs often wait until a dental emergency occurs before seeking care simply because it is not a covered expense, and they cannot afford to pay the out-of-pocket costs. As a result, a simple toothache can turn into a tooth extraction due to the long delay in dental care.

Further, quality dental care is an increasing concern in Hawaii. It is becoming increasingly apparent that low-income families and areas in the State are not even receiving routine dental care.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 249, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.