Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 122 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure early and continuous prenatal care by requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to presume that a pregnant woman who applies for Medicaid or QUEST coverage for prenatal care or other medical services related to the pregnancy is eligible for coverage.

Mothers Care for Tomorrow's Children, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, and several individuals testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Primary Care Association and AlohaCare testified in support of the intent of this measure. DHS opposed this measure. The Hawaii Medical Services Association commented on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 122 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.