Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2328 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for dental services at Kauai Community Health Center.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from AlohaCare, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Ho`ola Lahui Hawai`i. Testimony was received from the Department of Health supporting the intent of this measure only.

Your Committee finds that the need for dental care on Kauai is great, as almost twenty-five percent of the island residents are not covered by any dental insurance. The lack of basic routine preventative dental care can lead to very complicated and severe dental concerns. Funding for dental services is critical, especially for special populations such as the developmentally disabled who have needs that have long been unmet.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2328 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.