Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1652 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services (DHS), Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, ILWU Local 142, and AARP Hawaii.

According to testimony of the DHS, if Hawaii's application for a Medicaid prescription drug expansion program is approved by the federal government, the appropriation provided by this will be required.

In spite of the difficult budgetary constraints, this measure represents the dedication of your Committees to make prescription drugs more affordable for those eligible individuals who would otherwise go without their medication or otherwise sacrifice buying food, or paying for rent and utilities.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1652, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.