Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 802, S.D. 2, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a State Pharmacy Assistance Program (Program) to assist eligible elderly and disabled individuals in defraying the cost of prescriptions under the new federal Medicare part D drug benefit program.

The Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Health, and AARP Hawaii testified in support of this bill. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America opposed this measure.

Your Committees recognize that the rapidly increasing costs of prescription drugs have especially affected the low-income elderly and disabled populations. The Legislature has already taken steps to address the affordability of prescription drugs for low-income individuals through the establishment of the Hawaii Rx Plus Program (Rx Plus). Your Committees respectfully request DHS to consider the possibility of including the Rx Plus population within the Program.

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. 802, S.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.