Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 56 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to abolish the enrollment cap for the QUEST medical assistance program and provide medical assistance to all adults who meet income and asset eligibility criteria.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by The Hawaii State Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Kokua Council, Salvation Army Kona Community Clinic, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and American Friends Service Committee. The Department of Human Services submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee has concerns that just ten years ago, Hawaii had one of the lowest levels of uninsured at 5% and now we find ourselves among the states with a high 10% uninsured rate. This Committee finds that the downward spiral began in 1996 when QUEST was changed to limit enrollment. However, QUEST has proven itself as a managed care program, and it is time to eliminate the enrollment cap to allow additional qualified Hawaii residents to obtain the health care they need.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 56 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.