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.R. No. 33 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the President of the United States and Congress to address the problem of high cost of prescription drugs.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Executive Office of Aging, Hawaii Pharmacist Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and a private citizen.

Your Committee finds that health care costs have been increasing in recent years and prescription drugs are the largest contributing factor. Your Committee further recognizes that Hawaii's seniors are significantly impacted by these high costs because Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, except under special circumstances. Your Committee hopes that this measure will serve as a reminder that the rising cost of prescription drugs is a problem that needs to be addressed by our nations leaders.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 33 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs.