Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2654, S.D. 2, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to ensure that low-income, uninsured immigrants have access to primary and preventive health care services.

The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Na Loio – Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.

Your Committees find that Hawaii has among the highest percentage of immigrant residents in the United States. However, many immigrants work low-paying jobs or have part-time work schedules that leave them uninsured. Some low-income immigrants are also not eligible for public assistance.

Your Committees have amended this bill by inserting provisions:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2654, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2654, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.