Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1950 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to pay $1 for each prescription written for qualified individuals; provided that:

The Hawaii State Teachers Association, Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Council, AARP Hawaii, Services for Seniors, Hawaii Alliance of Retired Americans, ILWU, The Medicine Bank, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. DHS and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the intent of this measure.

Pfizer opposed the measure.

Your Committee recognizes that prescription drugs have become unaffordable, especially for the elderly and individuals on fixed incomes. One testifier claimed that most drug companies offer low- or no-cost drugs for target groups. However, these programs are often inadequate in that they only offer certain drugs at minimal discount or require the individual to obtain reimbursement only after spending full price for the drug. Your Committee finds that other states have been successful in offering similar programs without exorbitant cost, and this measure would benefit a large group of people in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1950 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.