STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 381

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1060

H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Legislative Management, to which was referred H.B. No. 1060 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to obtain legislative approval through concurrent resolution prior to applying for federal Medicaid waivers.

AlohaCare testified in support of this measure. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent of this bill. DHS and the Department of Health opposed this measure.

Testifiers were concerned about the difficulties in obtaining legislative approval through concurrent resolution during the legislative interim, thereby limiting DHS's flexibility in applying for waivers. Alternatives developed by testifiers prior to the hearing included:

(1) Requiring that the Legislature's input be solicited within 30-60 days prior to any waiver submission. This would allow the Legislature adequate time to review and submit comments; and

(2) Introducing a concurrent resolution requesting a comprehensive, two-year study on the role of the Legislature as it relates to waiver approvals. Among other things, the practices of other legislatures would be reviewed.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Requiring that during the legislative interim, a joint committee composed of committee chairs from the House and Senate be convened to review and approve the applications;

(2) Setting the effective date of this bill as July 1, 2999, for the purpose of continuing discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for consistency and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Legislative Management that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1060, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1060, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Legislative Management,

		____________________________ MICHAEL Y. MAGAOAY, Chair