Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1652 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation to the medicaid prescription drug rebate special fund.

Your Committee finds that this measure provides the funds needed to allow the establishment and implementation of the medicaid prescription drug expansion program established by Act 75, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002, to move forward. Once up and running, the medicaid prescription drug expansion program will provide affordable prescription drugs to Hawaii residents who now have difficulty affording necessary medication.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by adding a section to specify the expending agency. The bill also has been amended by changing the amount appropriated to a blank amount to ensure continued discussion on this issue.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1652, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1652, S.D. 1.