Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2385, S.D. 1 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the Hawaii Seropositivity and Medical Management Program and the HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program by appropriating $200,000 each for these programs, respectively.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Seropositivity and Medical Management Program and HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program provide life-saving medications and regular medical tests to hundreds of people with HIV/AIDS in Hawaii. However, while the cost of AIDS drugs has risen in recent years, and the number of people needing treatment has grown, the State has not increased its support for these vital programs. Without additional funding, people in Hawaii living with HIV/AIDS may be forced onto waiting lists for the appropriate drugs. Additional funding will prevent people from being placed on a waitlist, provide more clients with needed services, and potentially provide more drugs.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by changing the appropriated amounts to unspecified amounts to facilitate further discussion. Your Committee has also amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

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 S.B. No. 2385, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2385, S.D. 2.