Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate additional funds to provide primary and preventative health care services to low-income uninsured immigrants.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kokua Council, Na Loio, and three individuals.

Your Committees find that Hawaii has among the highest percentage of immigrant residents in our nation. These immigrants contribute greatly to our culture and economy but many are only able to find types of employment that leaves them without employer-sponsored health insurance. Currently, low income immigrants are no longer eligible for public benefits like medicaid and QUEST until they have worked in the United States for at least five years.

This measure will provide additional funds needed for this basic program. Neglected health conditions will lead to more serious and costly treatment if left untreated, so by the time they are eligible for state health programs, their treatment will end up costing the State much more.

Your Committees have amended this measure by correcting the amount budgeted for FY2003.

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