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. 82 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to provide basic dental services for adults covered by Medicaid and Med-QUEST through the Med-QUEST program.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Health Care for the Homeless Project, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Hawaii State Primary Care Association, and Kokua Council.

In 1996, the dental services for Medicaid recipients were limited to emergency services. As a result, these adults would forego basic dental service due to the cost. Oral health is important as it affects not only the mouth and face but also causes lost work and school days and the inability to eat a healthy diet. Your Committee finds that adults currently covered by Medicaid and QUEST are not sufficiently covered for basic dental services and that funds need to be appropriated to make available to these individuals adequate dental care.

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. 82 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.