Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 59 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge Medicaid to develop more federally qualified health centers statewide.

The Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association submitted testimony in support of this measure with an amendment request. The Hawaii Primary Care Association submitted comments.

Your Committees find that federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are a vital tool in serving the medical needs of the medically underserved communities and uninsured people of this State. The Hawaii Primary Care Association testified regarding one study that according to the testifier indicates that "Medicaid patients served by community health centers are 22% less likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions" and that "uninsured people who go to FQHCs are more likely to get preventive education, counseling, and treatments, including mammograms, pap smears, and substance abuse services." It is estimated that FQHCs save the Medicaid program thirty percent on each patient they care for.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 59 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.