Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 65 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support Congressional enactment of Medicare coverage of oral anti-cancer drugs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from a Maui County Council member, National Patient Advocate Foundation, and American Cancer Society.

Your Committee finds that, although there has been strong bipartisan support in Congress to pass legislation requiring Medicare to cover oral anti-cancer medications, an urgent push is needed from the states. If Congress intended for patients to receive treatment for cancer there is no reason not to include oral treatments, especially as it has been estimated that within the next ten years 25% of cancer drug therapy will be administered orally.

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.C.R. No. 65 and recommends its adoption.