Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1060 entitled:

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 measure. DHS opposed this measure.

Your Committee finds that it is crucial that the Legislature be aware of applications for federal Medicaid waivers because of their financial impact. However, your Committee recognizes that legislative approval through concurrent resolution may hinder the waiver process when the Legislature is not in session. DHS expressed that they are open to alternative means of legislative approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1060 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.